Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will discuss with the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail and Luas the possibility of ensuring the automatic opening of all train and tram carriage doors each time the service reaches a stop without a button having to be pressed by passengers exiting or alighting as a Covid-19 precaution measure both to ensure passengers do not have to press the door opening button and also to ensure good ventilation and circulation of air in the carriages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42164/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and public transport has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis.  A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services safely during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.

The Government is committed to ensuring that essential transport services, and passengers utilising these services, are protected and supported.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) continues to be guided by public health advice to improve journey safety for all across the public transport system and is working closely with transport operators with regard to the implementation of specific measures. . 

I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued on 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42598/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department has developed a COVID-19 Response Plan in collaboration with representatives from the staff unions.

A COVID-19 Return to the Workplace Safely Committee has been established under the Plan and meets fortnightly. The Committee’s membership is made of up representatives from my Department's Human Resources, Facilities Management and Information Services Division, the Health & Safety Officer, Union Representatives and Worker Representatives. The Committee's main role is to coordinate all activity related to the Department’s COVID-19 response in respect of the safe attendance at and return to the workplace of its staff, ensuring stringent control measures including social/physical distancing, communications and procedures are in place to minimise the risk to staff and visitors to Department premises. Signage and information regarding physical/social distancing, face masks, hygiene measures, maximum occupancy  and other control measures have been placed in multiple areas across all of the Department’s premises.

The vast majority of staff in my Department have been working from home since March 2020 and will continue to do so in accordance with the advice under the Government's Plan for Living with COVID_19 during the currency of the Plan. Where staff are required to attend the office all necessary measures have been implemented to ensure appropriate physical/social distancing.