Parliamentary questions

203. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Irish Rail fleet including but not limited to the number of carriages and engines; the age of the fleet; the recent or upcoming new additions to the fleet; recent decommissions; his opinion of the condition of the fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21306/26]

204. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the draft National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2026-2028 provides for the car rental market in Ireland, especially with consideration to regional tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21319/26]

205. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the supports being considered for the second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market as the number of registered EV’s on our roads continue to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21320/26]

206. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport if Ireland will pursue a formal exemption for short-term car rental operators in EU negotiations, recognising the sector’s distinct role in tourism and airport operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21321/26]

207. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport for an update on Connecting Ireland route 826 which will service Mullingar, Kinnegad, Edenderry, Clonbullogue, Bracknagh, Portarlington, Monasterevin and Kildare Village; the expected commencement date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/26]

208. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to allocate emergency funding for the N69 road from Listowel to Tarbert in County Kerry, where in particular the section at Cahirdown is in urgent need of upgrade/resurfacing works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21336/26]

209. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for transferring responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination from the RSA to his Department following completion of Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 given this was not indicated in the plan itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21337/26]

210. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport whether a transfer of staff occurred following the transfer of responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 from the RSA to his Department; if so, the roles transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21338/26]

211. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to detail the additional staffing and resources provided to his Department following the transfer of responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 from the RSA to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21339/26]

212. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the structure of the road safety division within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21340/26]

213. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to provide a list of the engagements his Department has had with the Road Safety Authority, and the dates and nature of these engagements, since the transfer of responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 from the RSA to his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a stateme…

214. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the status of the A spine rollout under BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21363/26]

215. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered a driver licence exchange agreement between Ireland and the United States to allow Irish citizens returning home with full US licences to exchange them for an Irish licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21371/26]

216. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed a new report and proposals from an organisation (detailed supplied) in relation to the TaxSaver scheme and the additionality offered by shared mobility; and if he will meet with the organisation to discuss their proposals. [21375/26]

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 statemen…

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/…

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 …

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]