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Dublin has a long-standing cultural tradition of proper urban horsemanship. Horse-drawn carriage rides are a well-known part of the south inner city and in and around the Liberties. It goes back centuries. In fact, I was going through the 1911 census and I was very … surprised but delighted to see I had relations back then who were horse-drawn carriage drivers in and around Dublin. It is disappointing to see this tradition being undermined by gaps in regulations and archaic Victorian legislation. Right now, we have licensed carriage drivers who meet Dublin City

move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the law relating to the control of horse-drawn carriages and other horse-drawn vehicles within the former Dublin Metropolitan Police District, as provided for by the Dublin Carriage Act 1853, the Dublin Amended … Carriage Act 1854 and the Dublin Amended Carriage Act 1855, that equates to most of the administrative area of Dublin City Council and parts of the administrative areas of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and South Dublin County Council and, for that purpose, to repeal those Acts

good news that the DART+ fleets are being rolled out, albeit on the Drogheda line, because that will free up carriages on the Drogheda line, which is what we want. We are first up, best dressed in Athy looking for those additional carriages that come as part … DART+ carriages that the Government has already welcomed and that will be part of the northern commuter line, serving Dublin to Drogheda. That is the part that I want to highlight with the Minister of State and, by extension, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. Once those carriages

need to make it the best we can. We need to work on that. Two initial orders for 185 electric and battery-electric carriages for the DART+ fleet were placed, with 95 carriages ordered in December 2021 and a further 90 ordered in December 2022. A total … carriages will be ordered in the coming decade. That is a statement of intent. Iarnród Éireann has begun to take delivery of the first order of new trains under the DART+ programme. Regarding the utilisation of the new DART+ fleet, 185 carriages are currently on order. The first

about where the train goes but what it is like to be on that train. That is why I am calling for quiet carriages on all intercounty trains. These carriages support our neurodiverse passengers and create a calmer space for people with anxiety, PTSD or sensory issues … rolled out across all lines. They are being considered for the Dublin to Belfast route. However, there are no plans to expand quiet carriages beyond that because of capacity concerns. Instead, passengers with sensory issues are being offered a pair of sunglasses, headphones and a fidget spinner. That

could now be dealing with issues that are directly impacting our cities at the moment. I want to talk about the horse-drawn carriages in Dublin city centre that are to be found just around the corner from where we are sitting. Dublin has a rich cultural history … proper urban horsemanship. Horse carriage rides are synonymous with the south inner city. It is very sad to see this being eroded as a result of a lack of regulation. We have a situation where have responsible carriage operators who are fully licensed by Dublin City Council

believed in. It is hard to dispute what he presented. Even if half of those 6,500 could be gotten into train carriages, the difference it would make on the M11 would be significant. I will outline some of the infrastructure and plans for expansion of rail services … island strategic rail review published in July last year. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages which arrived in Ireland in late 2024 and are currently undergoing testing. The new battery-electric DART carriages will first be deployed

these service enhancements. To meet growing demand, larnród Éireann is deploying all available fleet during peak times. In 2024, 41 additional InterCity railcar carriages were introduced, boosting capacity on key routes, including Sligo, Galway, Westport and Belfast. As part of DART+, two fleet orders have been placed … carriages, largely battery electric with some electric units. The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, comprising 65 battery electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, has started arriving and is undergoing certification and safety tasting. It is intended that the new battery electric sets will

orders for the new DART+ train fleet have been placed so far. The first order is for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which comprise 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages. These carriages started arriving into Ireland last year and are currently undergoing testing, prior … entry into service. The battery-electric carriages are planned to enter service on the northern line from Dublin to Drogheda in 2026. MetroLink will provide improved access to employment, education, leisure and healthcare facilities. This includes Dublin Airport, the Mater hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin City University, Trinity

Portarlington and Ballybrophy. That needs to be addressed. We need basic weather shelters at railway stations and proper toilet facilities. Packed trains and carriages need to be taken into account and dealt with. We need extra carriages. Iarnród Éireann told me all its rolling stock is in full … that is good, but new carriages are promised and that needs to happen. I am appealing to the Minister to halt this 15% increase in public transport fees, to put on more services and in the case of Laois to put on an 11 p.m. train from Heuston

raised this with the NTA last week and was told that all available carriages were in use at peak times, but I have a number of questions in relation to this and would appreciate clear answers to them for the people who have to travel on these overcrowded … there been no forward planning and how have we ended up in a situation where we do not have additional rail carriages? When are we going to have additional carriages on the trains going into Galway? I want a clear timeline on this because the Minister of State

Claremorris, which is something he supports, and we need to get on with that. Next year, 2027, is when we will have additional carriages becoming available. The NTA is working with Irish Rail and the latter has been looking at other places across the world but it cannot … just get carriages from some other place because the railway lines themselves may be of different configuration. It is not like getting a car from some place and putting it on the line. There is a lot more to it than that and the carriages have

This new service was welcomed when it started last October. The critical piece of the Minister of State’s reply is that these carriages were stabled at Athenry, which allowed for the early commuter service. I completely welcome the works and the incredible transformation and investment that have … taken place at Ceannt Station. Regardless of what is happening in the city at Ceannt Station, however, there is nothing stopping those carriages being stabled in Athenry and used to operate that commuter service. When the new carriages come, we can enhance and further expand the service

state without that state’s permission. That pertains here in Ireland. This provision is implemented in Irish law in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders of 1973 and 1989. Under these orders, the carriage of munitions of war is prohibited … that permits it. From October 2023 to date, no applications for exemptions have been received and no exemptions have been granted for the carriage of munitions of war to any point in Israel. I will reiterate that to be very clear to the House. There have been

stations such as Athenry has been raised with me. I have met Irish Rail to discuss this. For example, we have only two carriages on the first train arriving into Galway city at 8.10 a.m. every day. We have seen serious overcrowding and it has been a safety … issue. As the Minister mentioned, there are new carriages arriving in Dublin. They will not become operational until 2026. Irish Rail has informed me that once these new carriages become operational in Dublin, the diesel carriages that are currently being used there can be moved to regional routes

DART+ programme, three fleet orders have been placed under the DART+ fleet project. These orders comprise of 285 battery-electric and electric carriages. The battery-electric carriages from the first order of 95 have started arriving in Ireland and are now undergoing testing. I have been … that line because it serves my constituency too. That will be a really welcome move. We are looking at that next year. The carriages will replace diesel trains and provide a boost for capacity to passengers at Drogheda station. Looking further ahead, the DART+ coastal north project will

acceptable, yet we are told we must wait until next year for additional capacity in the form of second-hand carriages because the new battery electric carriages sitting in Inchicore awaiting safety clearance are earmarked for the northern commuter line. Our area must wait for the older diesel … carriages to be cascaded down so the train lengths can be increased marginally. Of course, that is a temporary solution. It will not address the longer term challenge, when over 10,000 additional homes in the immediate vicinity are already in the pipeline. We need DART+ South West

fortunate in County Louth as we have seen an increase in services between Dublin and Belfast. We will see the introduction of new carriages that will transport more than 400 people per service. We have seen more frequency, with services running 15 times per day between Dublin … particularly in the summer when it was hot, people with conditions like asthma were struggling to breathe. It is not just on the carriages, but also on the platforms. Drogheda station is full to capacity. There is nowhere to park and when people are rushing for a train

takes longer to get to Dublin by train than it took 40 years ago, when I started using the service. There are fewer carriages, carriages are cramped, toilets in stations are often not open, there has been no catering service for years and, as I said, the journey … those who use the Rosslare, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin rail line are forced to stand the entire journey to Dublin, often in between carriages. This is absolutely shocking in 2026. Why would we ask passengers who board in Gorey, Arklow, Rathdrum and Wicklow and are squashed like sardines

accept the response that nothing is going to be done here in the short term. We are told we have to wait for carriages, with very vague assurances as to when they are going to become available. I have been contacted in relation to people becoming unwell … when the rail services going in and out of Galway specifically, and particularly that one arriving at 8.10 a.m., will have additional carriages? Can we get a clear time on that? How we have ended up in this situation where we do not have additional rail carriages

raise with the Tánaiste today the urgent need for additional carriages and hourly train services on the Waterford to Dublin line, which runs through my hometown of Athy. I have been raising this issue for the last number of years and I just want to read … Waterford to Heuston service. She said there were 18 people standing in the gap by the doors on the second-last carriage this morning. Two of them were retired people, very unsteady on their feet, who kept stumbling and were struggling to hold onto the train

Midleton-Cork rail line is reaching farcical levels. For a prolonged period, peak-time services have been left operating with just two carriages. This morning, a constituent told me the train was again dangerously overcrowded, with the driver on one journey having to get out to stop commuters … been raising this issue over the past year. Irish Rail accepts that peak-time services are overcrowded but says there are no spare carriages available. The Minister's own figures show Ireland collected €32.9 billion in corporation tax last year. Why is his Department so tight-fisted with

open to both licensed road haulage operators and the own-account sector, subject to eligibility criteria, where the vehicle is used for the carriage of goods by road. Someone will be able to submit an application for heavy goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes in their fleet, provided … operators in the course of their commercial activities. Verification will also be undertaken to ensure that the commercial activity is related to the carriage of goods by road and that the vehicle is roadworthy and compliant with all motor tax requirements for the duration of the scheme

service than was there previously. I am speaking in particular in this instance to the Gorey-Dublin rail line. Previously, there were four carriages on it and it sat 262 commuters. For some inexplicable reason, Iarnród Éireann changed those four carriages in October of last year … different carriage system, which seats only 185 people. I hear of consistent overcrowding and people fainting on that line, and there are health and safety issues with it. I have raised it with Iarnród Éireann and the NTA. I have been told they would get back

Connolly Station to Drogheda and the public will get to experience the first element of the DART+ programme with new battery electric DART carriages, which are currently undergoing testing and will go into service next year. These new carriages are significant not just because they will provide greater … mode of transport to the car. We have to make sure that, when we develop lines and add capacity, we also put the carriages in place to meet the demand. Previously, a Deputy on the other side of the House mentioned the Athenry to Galway line. The passing

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the provision of new rail carriages for the Northern Commuter line; when these carriages will be operational; and the extra capacity these carriages will provide. [70634/26

asked the Minister for Transport when he and his Departmental representatives will meet with local stakeholders regarding long-promised revision of the Dublin Carriage Act of 1853 to enable proper regulation and enforcement of the horse carriage industry and implement adequate safety measures; whether he is aware … rampant intimidation by rogue carriage operators against tourists, residents, licensed operators, and business owners; the reason previous efforts to revise the 1853 Act were abandoned during COVID-19 and still have not been taken up again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15455/26

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport his position on the regulation of urban horses and carriages; if he has concerns over the abuse of horses in urban areas; if he is aware of the misuse of horses and carriages on urban roads; and if he plans … reform the regulation of the use and maintenance of horses and carriages in Dublin. [12864/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has a strategy for the purchase of additional train carriages over the next number of years; and if such a strategy exists to outline the number of carriages expected to be delivered by year, in tabular

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the rollout of new DART carriages; and the additional capacity each individual carriage provides. [67544/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if additional carriages will be considered for train journeys from Adamstown station to Dublin city at peak hours; if overcrowding is monitored for commutes; the safe levels of commuters per carriage; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport for an update on horse carriage legislation for Dublin; if his Department will be introducing its own legislation to allow for the regulation of horse carriage licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58384/26

Minister for Transport if Irish Rail will cover the costs in the interim to shorten the gap between platform five and train carriages at Connolly Station, as the gap between some train carriages and this platform at this station is quite big. [18678/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the reasons the Dublin to Rosslare rail line has the poorest quality of rail carriages; the reason no consideration is given to providing modern carriages on the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19845/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport following the refurbishment of the first class carriages on the intercity services from Dublin to Cork if consideration will be given to refurbishing the standard class carriages on the Mark 4 fleet; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the reduction in carriage numbers on the 16:28 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch service, which previously operated with four carriages but now operates with three; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport if the announcement in December 2025 regarding the purchasing of new DART carriages will have automatic ramps covering the gap between train carriage and station platforms. [11481/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total number of new DART carriages ordered to date under the DART programme, including the most recent order announced in December 2025, the total capital investment committed, and the breakdown of carriages by order batch; and if he will

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the new DART carriages will increase overall passenger capacity on the network, including any projected increase in peak hour capacity once all ordered carriages are in service; and if he will make a statement

Transport the contingency arrangements that are in place in the event of delays to the delivery or commissioning of the new DART carriages, including measures to maintain service reliability while older carriages are being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1930/26

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will take urgent action on the lack of train carriages available for morning services from Midleton train station to Kent Station during rush hour; if his Department is aware of the volume of passengers who take those … morning commuter trips each weekday morning; if his Department will ensure that extra carriages are added to this route expeditiously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63496/25

this area to increase protections for other road users; if he has concerns about children being in control of a horse drawn carriage on a public road; if those in control of a horse drawn carriage must follow rules of the road including mobile phone usage; if there

Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the steps the NTA and Iarnród Eireann are currently taking to ensure that the new DART carriages fully cover the gap between the DART and platform at all DART stations prior to the new carriages coming into service next year. [16486/25

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of all inspections that have taken place under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) (Amendment) Order, 1989 to enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airspace for the carriage

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the average carriage capacity on services operating on the Maynooth train level per day to date in 2026, in tabular form. [73401/26

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional Luas carriages that came into service in the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [73522/26

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport to consider adding an additional carriage on the M3 Parkway commuter train route service at peak times. [69136/26

accepts this shows the need for additional capacity and if he would make correspondence with Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail to ensure additional carriages would be made available to ensure public safety. [67610/26

arriving into and departing Galway Train Station; if they have engaged with rail operators from other jurisdictions with a view to securing additional carriages on a temporary basis to help alleviate this problem; if any other short term solutions have been considered to address ongoing capacity issues

average passenger numbers on that service; the measures being considered to increase capacity in the short term, including the provision of additional carriages (details supplied). [67663/26