Parliamentary questions

21. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/26]

22. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the details of the monies spent by the DAA on VIP travel and accommodation for the CEO of the DAA; the details of the oversight by his Department of the spending of the DAA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2661/26]

23. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the reason Sallins train station has not been included as part of the Big Lift Project; when lift access will be granted to Sallins train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2694/26]

24. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the measures currently in place to address the lack of late-night public and private transport options in rural areas; and whether his Department has identified this issue as a barrier to the sustainability of rural social and hospitality businesses. [2696/26]

25. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made to increase the availability of taxis in rural areas, particularly during late-night hours; and whether changes to licensing, incentives or pilot schemes are under consideration. [2697/26]

26. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the details of passenger demand after 6pm on Route H1 based on ticketing and Leap card data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2704/26]

27. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current seating capacity on route 15 buses; the average passenger load during peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2705/26]

28. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm his Department's current remote work policy for Departmental staff; if there are plans to modify the policy in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2716/26]

29. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the issues surrounding parking limitations at Cork Kent Station (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department to address these issues; if alternative parking arrangements are being considered for the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2722/26]

30. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the introduction of free parking at Muine Bheag train station, Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2745/26]

31. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport when the reduction in the default speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h will be implemented as recommended by his Department in the Speed Limit Review in 2023. [2760/26]

477. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken by his Department to support the development and promotion of greenways as tourism and regional economic assets; how these supports are contributing to sustainable tourism and local enterprise in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2146/26]

478. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport his plans to amend the Road Traffic Act 2016 to include nitrous oxide on the list of offences involving certain drugs for the purpose of road side testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73873/25]

479. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Luas tram procurement programme announced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in August 2023; if a contract has been awarded; the stage the procurement is now at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73877/25]

480. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of Luas trams ordered to date under the Luas tram procurement programme; the number of trams planned to be ordered in total; the number that will be replacement vehicles; and the number that will represent net additional capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73878/25]

481. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the expected delivery schedule for the new Luas trams, including the anticipated delivery date of the first tram; the phased delivery timetable thereafter; and the expected date on which the trams will enter passenger service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73879/25]

482. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if any delays have arisen in the procurement, manufacture or delivery of the new Luas trams to date; if so, the reasons for those delays; the revised timelines involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73880/25]

483. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place for future ordering of additional Luas trams beyond the current procurement, having regard to passenger demand, projected population growth and planned Luas extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73881/25]

484. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the contingency arrangements in place to maintain Luas services in the event of electrical faults or power supply failures, such as those experienced on the network in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73882/25]

485. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland has assessed the resilience of the Luas electrical infrastructure; the upgrades or investments planned to improve system redundancy and reliability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73883/25]

486. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the options Transport Infrastructure Ireland has examined to allow Luas services to continue operating during electrical power failures, including the potential use of battery electric or alternative traction trams, onboard energy storage, or other technological solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73884/25]

487. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the service continuity plans in place for passengers during major Luas disruptions, including the provision of replacement bus services, passenger information systems and communication protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73885/25]

488. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total projected cost of the Luas tram procurement programme, including associated infrastructure and electrical upgrades; the way this investment is being funded within the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73886/25]

489. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the situation in relation to the use of Class I Urban vehicles on motorways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73889/25]

490. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has received any legal advice in relation to Bus Éireann’s insurance policies in the event of a fatality involving a Class I ‘urban’ bus operating on a 100km/h or 120km/h road; and if he is aware that the regulatory exemption for seatbelts on these vehicles is predicated on the strict assumption that they remain in low-speed urban envi…