Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he and his Department have had with officials in rail transport as of November 2021 with regard to lower emissions in rail transport and the overall emissions reduction in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53215/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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An efficient and low emission public transport system forms a key part of the Government's vision for sustainable mobility.

My Department has ongoing engagement with representatives from Iarnród Éireann and Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to discuss operational emissions-reduction measures, such as fuel and supply-chain efficiency programmes, fleet replacement and optimisation, and driver training programmes.

In line with the obligations under the European renewable energy directive, my Department is also considering extending to rail the obligation for renewables in fuel supply, as currently applied to road transport. A renewable fuel for transport policy statement, due to be published by my Department, will set out the pathway to implement this change, as part of a suite of measures to meet European and Climate Action Plan targets.

Longer term rail infrastructure projects, such as the ambitious DART+ project, when completed, will reduce emissions and will also offer significant benefits in terms of multi-modal transit, active transport, and regional connectivity. My Department will continue to engage with Iarnród Éireann to progress this important project and to reduce emissions across the rail network as part of the necessary shift away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable modes of transport.

My Department is also firmly committed to ensuring that air pollutant emissions from transport remain low. Air quality in Ireland is generally good but recent air quality modelling activities by the Environmental Protection Agency suggest that in some heavily trafficked urban areas the dispersal of air pollutants can be challenging.

The interim report of the Urban Transport-Related Air Pollution (UTRAP) working group in March 2021, recommended that emissions in and around Irish terminal railway stations should be further investigated. My Department has commissioned an international best practice review of the localised and wider pollutant contribution of large railway hubs on air quality and further engagement with Iarnród Éireann is planned in the coming months to progress this study and to facilitate emissions monitoring in and around individual stations.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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141. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he and his Department have had with officials in Irish aviation with regard to lower emissions aircraft and overall emission reduction in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53213/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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There are several major EU proposals relating to sustainable aviation currently under discussion as part of the Commission’s Fit for 55 legislative package. Cumulatively these measures have the potential to lower emissions from aircraft and significantly decarbonise the sector over the coming decades. They will also have significant impacts on airlines and the aviation sector more widely. Department of Transport Officials consult on an ongoing basis with industry through the Regulatory Working Group of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) and its environment subgroup. Both major airlines, Ryanair and Aer Lingus, are represented in this group as well as the Dublin Airport Authority and other Airports. The sub-group last met to discuss these proposals on 12 Oct. Officials from my Department have also met with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are continuing to liaise with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has overall responsibility for climate action, and the National Oil Reserve Agency (NORA) who oversee Ireland’s fuel supplies, including in the area of aviation.

These EU proposals are currently progressing through the appropriate EU Council Working Parties. Staff at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels have also held a series of engagements on the files with Aer Lingus, the International Airlines Group (IAG), IATA, Airlines for America, Ryanair and the European Express Association. Ongoing work on the files has also seen them engage with Members of the European Parliament and with the environmental NGO - Transport and Environment. Both Dublin and Brussels-based officials continue to engage with the directorate of the European Commission with responsibility for transport - DG Move.

The Revision of the ETS for Aviation, The Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive and the ReFuelEU Initiative.