Questions

176. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the level of annual funding allocated specifically for the development, training and equipment of the Reserve Defence Forces in each year since 2020; whether the Government intends to introduce a dedicated capital funding stream for Reserve Defence Forces capability development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20336/26]

177. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department maintains structured data on the reasons for resignation or discharge from the Reserve Defence Forces, including exit interviews or retention surveys; if not, whether she intends to introduce a formal retention monitoring system to support the objectives of the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration Plan; and if she will make a statement on the…

179. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of procurement projects currently underway within the Defence Forces; the stage each project has reached within the capability development lifecycle; and the estimated value of each project. [20412/26]

180. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the statutory basis, if any, under which troops may be deployed as aid to the civil power following the expiry of the Emergency Powers Act 1976 in 1995; who and in what circumstances may such deployment be authorised; and to provide details on any instances since 1995 where this has been authorised and implemented. [20565/26]

181. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the amount of carbon that will be emitted on all transport and related actions undertaken by her and all members of her staff during their St Patrick’s Day trips in 2026. [20604/26]

182. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the amount of carbon that will be emitted on all transport and related actions undertaken by all Junior Ministers in her Department and their members of staff during their St Patrick’s Day trips in 2026. [20622/26]

183. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence if she has paid to offset any of the carbon emitted due to St Patrick’s Day trips in 2026; and the amount paid. [20641/26]

184. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the amount of carbon that has been emitted by transport used by her, the Junior Ministers in her Department, and their staff for each of the past five years; if she has paid to offset any of the carbon emitted because of transport; and the amount paid in each year. [20659/26]

185. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress of the first National Safety Camera Strategy, when he expects it to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20522/26]

186. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport the actions his Department has planned to reform the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18248/26]

187. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport the plans his Department has to reform wider road safety governance given that many different road safety responsibilities are spread across many different agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18249/26]

188. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 352 of 4 February 2026, the funding allocated to and drawn down by Waterford City and County Council in each year 2010 to 2025 for roads, by funding scheme, in tabular form. [18253/26]

189. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the significant reduction in allocation for the Shannon Crossing project from €13.39 million in 2025 to €5 million in 2026; if this reduction indicates a delay or rescoping of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18269/26]

190. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport his views on the efficiency of funding allocations for bridge rehabilitation in County Clare, given that several structures including Shragh Bridge, Derryfadda Bridge, and Bunratty Lower Bridge have received repeated allocations in both 2025 and 2026, the total projected completion cost for these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18…

191. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the significant cost increase for the Lough Alewnaghta road protection scheme (CL/CCAR/26/002) from €45,000 in 2025 to €160,000 in 2026; the factors that led to this more than threefold increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18271/26]

192. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the expenditure of over €126,000 on bridge inventory and maintenance inspections in County Clare over the 2025-2026 period represents value for money; the proportion of this funding that was allocated to external consultants versus internal council resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18272/26]

193. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the reason Clare County Council received one of the lowest per-kilometre capital allocations for national roads in the State in 2025, necessitating a threefold increase in 2026 to address the deficit, if he will consider multi-annual funding arrangements to avoid such volatility in future allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18273/2…

194. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the justification for allocating €100,000 to a new scheme at R478 Liscannor Village in 2026, given that recurring structural issues at locations such as Annaghneal (R-468) and Westbury (L-3183) remain unresolved and have required consecutive years of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18274/26]

195. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the specific works planned under the €500,000 allocation for former national roads (CL/FN/25/001) on the R-458 in 2025; if these works have been completed within the allocated budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18275/26]

196. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the basis for the calculation of the Discretionary Grant for Clare County Council, which increased from €3,614,500 in 2025 to €3,687,500 in 2026; the criteria used to determine this annual adjustment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18276/26]

197. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the reason regional and local roads in North Clare (specifically L5248, L1098, R476) remain in poor condition despite overall funding increases; if he is satisfied with the value-for-money of repeated patching versus full resurfacing on high-traffic local roads; the contingency funding which exists for roads where residents are undertaking basic maintenanc…

198. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Transport if he will re-evaluate the role, structure, and accountability of the Road Safety Authority in light of recent figures showing that 12,500 learner drivers in Wexford are now facing a 17-week waiting time for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18327/26]

199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will review a matter regarding a drivers licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18335/26]

200. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport whether he can provide the waiting list timeline in respect of each test centre in County Galway, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18337/26]

201. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to clarify when a new contract for Luas operations and maintenance will be put in place, in view of the urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18347/26]