Parliamentary questions

Questions

TDs ask ministers questions to get answers on the record, most of them in writing. Here is every one asked in the 34th Dáil, by the department it went to and the subject heading it was filed under. How questions work

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Showing questions asked by Paul Lawless under the heading Rail Network.

34 questions match, newest first.

Paul Lawless Written 20 Oct 2026 · to Transport
270. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether the potential role of Sligo port in supporting offshore wind operations and maintenance activities has been considered as part of an assessment of the western rail corridor, beyond Claremorris. [73448/26]
Paul Lawless Written 20 Oct 2026 · to Transport
271. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department intends to preserve the existing rail alignment between Collooney and Claremorris so as not to prejudice the possible future restoration of rail services along the western rail corridor to Sligo. [73450/26]
Paul Lawless Written 20 Oct 2026 · to Transport
272. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has undertaken, or intends to undertake, an assessment of the freight, logistics and port connectivity opportunities that could arise from completion of the western rail corridor to Sligo, including potential links with Shannon Foynes port and the port of Waterford. [73451/26]
Paul Lawless Written 20 Oct 2026 · to Transport
273. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport in light of recent statements (details supplied) regarding the economic and freight benefits of expanded rail connectivity along the western seaboard, whether he will reconsider the long-term case for completion of the western rail corridor to Sligo. [73453/26]
Paul Lawless Written 24 Sep 2026 · to Transport
218. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the protocols which are in place when a train is late departing its departure station; the way in which the information regarding the delay is communicated to the various stations where that train will subsequently be late arriving and to the other trains using the same line, and to the mechanisms operating level crossings around the country; and if he will ma…
Paul Lawless Written 16 Sep 2026 · to Transport
257. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann and the Railway Safety Commission to carry out an urgent review of the crossing at Kiltybo, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo following the fatal collision between a train and a car at the crossing on 3 September 2026; if he will consider having the existing crossing replaced with a fully automated barrier crossing with appropriate wa…
Paul Lawless Written 16 Sep 2026 · to Transport
332. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether he has requested a review of all user-operated railway level crossings nationwide following recent fatal incidents; and if he will provide details of any such review. [65580/26]
Paul Lawless Written 7 Sep 2026 · to Transport
371. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the limited frequency of intercity rail services between Dublin Heuston and Westport, particularly the absence of a mid-morning weekday service; if he will engage with Iarnród Éireann to examine the feasibility of introducing an additional service, potentially departing Heuston around 11:00am, to improve connectivity for pass…
Paul Lawless Written 28 Jul 2026 · to Transport
400. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the ongoing absence of an onboard water service on the Dublin Heuston to Westport rail service; if he has raised this matter with Iarnród Éireann; the steps being taken to ensure passengers have access to drinking water and refreshments on the long distance rail services, particularly during periods of extreme heat; whether carriage temperatu…
Paul Lawless Written 18 Jun 2026 · to Transport
180. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the reason people travelling from Heuston Station to County Mayo are given very short notice about which platform their train is departing from, meaning that despite arriving early to the station they have to run to the platform to board their train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45644/26]
Paul Lawless Written 18 Jun 2026 · to Transport
187. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is undertaking any work to encourage the return of catering services on trains connecting Dublin and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45643/26]
Paul Lawless Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Transport
409. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport to list the rail services which offer catering on board, and those which do not; the reason for the discrepancy; if an assessment of cost has been made on restoring catering services to all routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42004/26]
Paul Lawless Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Transport
410. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the amount of money spent by Irish Rail on the spreading of weedkiller along rail tracks in each of the past ten years, and the amount used in gallons in each year, in tabular form. [42005/26]
Paul Lawless Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Transport
411. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will list the top twenty highest salaries of persons working for Irish Rail. [42006/26]
Paul Lawless Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Transport
412. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by Irish Rail on the washing of trains in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [42007/26]
Paul Lawless Written 21 May 2026 · to Transport
200. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the extended waiting times of up to 70 minutes at Manulla Junction for passengers on the 7:28 a.m. Castlebar to Ballina service; the reason for the current timetable configuration which requires passengers to wait for the Athlone service; and if he will request Irish Rail to review this arrangement with a view to reducing del…
Paul Lawless Written 21 May 2026 · to Transport
201. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether an assessment was carried out regarding the impact of the introduction of the early morning Athlone rail service on existing Castlebar to Ballina passengers; if these service changes were communicated in advance to affected commuters; and if he will outline steps being taken by Irish Rail to address the negative consequences reported by daily commuters…
Paul Lawless Written 14 May 2026 · to Transport
237. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the plans to restore rail freight services on the Ballina and Westport rail lines, having regard to the fact that this line was historically used for the delivery of goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36454/26]
Paul Lawless Written 14 May 2026 · to Transport
238. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether a feasibility study has been carried out, or is planned, into the reinstatement of goods and freight transport by rail from Ballina and Westport, County Mayo; and if not, whether he will commit to commissioning such a study in light of regional development and climate objectives. [36455/26]
Paul Lawless Written 14 May 2026 · to Transport
239. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or Iarnród Éireann has engaged with local businesses, logistics operators, or public representatives in Mayo regarding renewed use of the rail lines for freight transport; and if he will provide details of any such engagements. [36456/26]
Paul Lawless Written 14 May 2026 · to Transport
240. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport how the potential return of rail-based goods transport from Ballina and Westport has been assessed in the context of reducing HGV traffic, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting national climate targets. [36457/26]
Paul Lawless Written 14 May 2026 · to Transport
241. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether funding under the National Development Plan or other capital programmes could be used to upgrade infrastructure to allow the Ballina and Westport rail lines to be used once again for freight services, as was the case historically. [36458/26]
Paul Lawless Written 14 May 2026 · to Transport
242. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport how the continued underutilisation of the Ballina and Westport rail lines for freight aligns with the Government’s commitment to balanced regional development and support for the west and northwest regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36459/26]
Paul Lawless Written 12 May 2026 · to Transport
387. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of safety concerns raised by rail passengers regarding the short notice given for train departures from distant platforms, including platforms seven and eight, where passengers are often given as little as ten minutes to board for the Dublin to Westport train; the extent to which this results in passengers running through stations, creating safe…
Paul Lawless Written 12 May 2026 · to Transport
388. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that passenger information systems in rail stations provide sufficient advance notice and visibility for all users, particularly older passengers; whether consideration will be given to increasing the length of time departure notices remain on display screens and improving the clarity of announcements; what the current time length is on the …