Parliamentary questions

115. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to engage with Iarnród Éireann on the reason on a regular basis, DARTS do not have the maximum number of possible carriages at peak times, resulting in excessive over-crowding and the inability of passengers to board the DART; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/26]

116. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the criteria used by the NTA and operators when determining carriage allocation on commuter rail services, particularly where demand indicators show sustained overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15550/26]

117. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the new dedicated statutory body that has been approved for the Metrolink project; the reasons the project could not be located with the NTA or TII; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15488/26]

118. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the ongoing review of timings at the level crossings in Athenry; the scope and expected completion date of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14893/26]

119. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill; when it will be introduced and to give; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15534/26]

120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport taking into account the heavy dependence on the non-national road network in counties Cavan and Monaghan, if he will consider as a matter of urgency the provision of additional financial allocations this year to both local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/26]

121. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a timeline for a full rollout of contactless card payments for LUAS, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and other public transport providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13796/26]

122. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the action that will be taken to improve the reliability of the 132 and the 133 Bus Éireann regional/commuter service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/26]

123. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the introduction of a fare cap for Young Adult Card holders travelling within commuter zones, similar to the daily and weekly fare caps currently available within the Dublin City Zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15477/26]

124. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that funding is made available to introduce an earlier train from Boyle to Sligo, something Irish Rail wish to do to support students and people with hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14232/26]

125. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to expand capacity, reliability and accessibility on the DART network; and the way planned investment will address overcrowding, station accessibility and connectivity for communities, including those across north Dublin. [15479/26]

126. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to make our transport infrastructure resilient to extreme weather events. [15486/26]

127. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport whether additional funding will be made available to local authorities, in 2026 specifically to repair potholes and other road damage caused by recent flooding and storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/26]

128. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the efforts his Department is making to improve the country’s road network. [15558/26]

129. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the progress of the Abnormal Load Working Group, in particular consideration being given by the working group to the current regulations which set the maximum authorised weights and dimensions for mechanically propelled vehicles and trailers on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15495/26]

130. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the progress on the extension of the rail line from Athenry to Claremorris; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/26]

131. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on emergency, additional roads funding for Wicklow and Wexford local authorities following the significant damage caused by storm Chandra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15290/26]

132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to provide an additional allocation to local authorities for the purpose of local road maintenance and improvement, beyond the allocations currently announced, considering the announced funding will be insufficient to carry out the works that have been deemed necessary by many local authorities. [14638/26]

133. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on Cork BusConnects, and the shorter term plans to improve the reliability of the bus service in Cork city and suburbs. [15514/26]

134. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to outline the 2026 grant allocations to local authorities for roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/26]

135. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time for new bus stop/shelters infrastructure approvals in Cork; if additional capital funding will be made available in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14231/26]

136. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if train services from Heuston Station to County Laois will be expanded so as to have additional late-night services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15530/26]

138. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if progress has been made regarding further funding for DART+ Southwest in order to facilitate delivery of the project before 2030. [15544/26]

139. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 414 Barna-Galway service outlined in the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan as an 'existing route' never operated; whether plans exist to commence a service of this description; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15501/26]

140. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport the level of investment planned for the Local Link network in 2026; the estimated cost of establishing a Local Link service to connect towns and villages along the N17 to Sligo town; the specific measures proposed to strengthen rural transport provision in the south Sligo region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15288/26]