Questions

278. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the plans, timeline and budgetary measures for upgrading Portlaoise Train Station and associated facilities (including accessibility, parking, and passenger amenities) to support increased rail usage and regional connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/26]

279. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the latest safety statistics for the M7 and M8 corridors passing through County Laois; the targeted safety improvements planned; when these will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3145/26]

280. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the current status of planned upgrades and resurfacing works on the N80 and N77 regional roads in County Laois; the expected timeframe and budgetary measures for commencement and completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3146/26]

281. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure in County Laois, along key commuter routes and in towns such as Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Abbeyleix; his plans to support the transition to low-emission transport in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/26]

282. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the specific supports planned to strengthen rural transport services (including Local Link) in the Laois region; how funding allocations for 2026 compare to 2025; the position regarding enhancing rural mobility for older and economically disadvantaged residents in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3148/26]

283. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport his plans to develop an integrated transport hub in Portlaoise that links rail, bus and active travel facilities; the engagement that has taken place with Laois County Council and local stakeholders; the expected benefits for sustainable regional transport in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/26]

284. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding planned active travel (cycling and walking infrastructure) improvements in towns and villages in County Laois; the timeline and budgetary measures allocated for these works in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3150/26]

285. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he has quantified the potential reduction in daily commuter traffic to Dublin that would result from stronger remote working rights; the associated benefits for road safety, congestion, and emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3151/26]

286. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he will carry out an urgent review of the Greenway Code of Practice involving all stakeholders, in light of concerns about consultation, compensation, and compulsory purchase orders; if he will ensure that future Greenway development protects property rights, rural livelihoods, and community wellbeing; the measures to improve transparency, engagement, and p…

127. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport to include as a priority, the Portlaoise Northern Orbital Route and the Mountmellick By-Pass in the revised National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62688/25]

165. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to expand public transport options including bus and rail services and Local Link services in rural areas such as County Laois to reduce car dependency and improve social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62689/25]

213. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the number and locations of EV charging hubs to be installed under phase 3 of the light duty vehicle scheme; the timeline for completion of these hubs; the measures in place to ensure that both urban and rural areas, including counties such as County Laois, have equitable access to high-powered charging infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the ma…

214. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan to expand and improve public transport options in rural and regional areas; if he will provide details of the funding allocated in 2025; the number of new routes planned; the measures in place to ensure reliability and affordability of Local Link services; and if he will make a statement…

215. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the number of those currently waiting for Cat C, Cat C1, and Cat BE testing in test centres in County Laois; the number tested in each of those categories for July, August, September and October 2025; the number of tests scheduled for November 2025, by category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62628/25]

216. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken to improve road safety, reduce fatalities, and ensure adequate maintenance of national and regional roads, particularly in light of recent accident statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62629/25]

217. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is progressing toward the transport sector's emissions reduction targets under the Climate Action Plan; the additional measures being considered to meet 2030 goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62630/25]

218. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to expand the national EV charging network, address regional disparities in charger availability, and support lower-income households in transitioning to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62631/25]

219. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated in 2026 for rural active travel infrastructure such as footpaths, cycle ways, and safe routes to schools; the way his Department will ensure that all local authorities have the capacity to deliver these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62632/25]

220. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on implementing the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, with particular reference to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads; the level of resources allocated to Garda enforcement and local road safety improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62633/25]

221. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the average wait time for driving tests in Portlaoise, County Laois for October 2024 and October 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62634/25]

222. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that rural and regional road networks are made more climate-resilient in response to increased flooding, storm damage, and extreme weather events; if additional funding will be made available to local authorities for road repair and adaptation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62635/25]

124. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be made available to progress the long-awaited relief road for Mountmellick town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51710/25]

127. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration has been given to extending the timetables on rural transport/local link networks for the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51711/25]

268. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport to provide retrospective funding to Laois County Council for the construction of the Portlaoise western distributor road which is key infrastructure relieving town centre traffic, unlocking new development zones at Junction 17, supporting the Portlaoise low carbon town initiative and providing accessible facilities for all road users while integrating with bro…

94. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport to include the Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass in the revised national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/25]