Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the correspondence he and his officials had with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding an all-Ireland approach to Covid-19 at all rail transport hubs on the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19580/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the correspondence he and his officials had with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding an all-Ireland approach to Covid-19 at all bus and coach transport hubs on the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19581/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has been working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure public transport services continue safely and to plan for capacity as demand for public transport services changes along the course of the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. 

I can confirm that there has been regular contact, both at Ministerial and Official level, with our Northern Ireland counterparts throughout the Covid-19 crisis on issues related to public transport.

The Deputy will be aware that Department of Health Regulations on the mandatory wearing of face coverings by persons on public transport (with the exception of those who cannot do so for health reasons or due to age (under 13)) came into effect on Monday, 13th July. This will help to underpin public transport services provided by both public and commercial licensed operators during these unprecedented times, with a view to safeguarding public transport capacity in Phases 3 and 4 of the Roadmap and beyond. The NTA has reported high levels of compliance across the public transport network, with Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann reporting 95pc and 90pc compliance respectively on July 13.

The Northern Ireland Executive also introduced similar measures on their public transport services, with face coverings being made mandatory on public transport there from 10th ofJuly, with similar exemptions for people with relevant medical conditions and children under 13. Therefore there are no significant policy differences with regard to Covid-19 related measures on public transport.

I and my Department will continue to engage with our Northern Ireland counterparts with regard to these issues as we continue to progress through the Covid-19 health emergency.