Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the National Transport Authority to further extend the validity of 2020 annual tax saver tickets given that public transport is currently limited to essential workers and therefore the previous period of extended validity cannot currently be availed of by the vast majority of ticket holders. [11720/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for regulating fares charged by public transport operators. The issue raised by the Deputy concerning the taxsaver initiative, is a matter for the relevant transport operators in conjunction with the NTA.

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.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and Irish Rail will give consideration to operating direct rail services between Waterford and Galway utilising the current Waterford-Limerick line and the western rail corridor given that such a service would link the major cities of Waterford, Limerick and Galway in addition to large towns on the route such as Clonmel and Ennis; and his views on whether such a service would greatly enhance public transport provision in these communities and bring a substantial tourist dividend to the towns on the route. [11721/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the operations of public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport services and the issue raised is therefore a matter for the NTA, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann. I have 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.