Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31871/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, my department is responsible for the implementation of 54 specific commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future.

Significant progress has been made in all policy areas of my department since 27 June 2020 and I believe that we are well on track to deliver on the Programme for Government commitments in all areas.

I would highlight the following key policy achievements over this period:

Climate Action Plan

• The Transport chapter of the national Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) brings a renewed focus on the need for systemic action, at all levels of Government, to better integrate our planning and transport systems so that we can achieve the 50% emissions abatement target for the sector.
• The Department of Transport has identified 15 key ‘high impact’ work programmes under which actions have been grouped in accordance with an AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE framework for greater transport sustainability. These work programmes consolidate, build on and support a number of related Departmental strategies, action plans and Programme for Government commitments, outlined further below.
• The new National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) was published in April 2022 and aims to deliver at least 500,000 additional daily active travel and public transport journeys and a 10% reduction in kilometres driven by fossil-fuelled cars by 2030, in line with previous CAP21 commitments. These metrics have been superseded by updated targets in CAP23.
• Subsequent modelling undertaken for CAP23 to inform the design of a decarbonisation pathway capable of meeting the sectoral emission ceilings for transport established by Government in July 2022, suggests that an even greater level of ambition will be required, with approximately 2 MtCO2eq of emissions abatement to be achieved in 2030 through such AVOID + SHIFT measures, the Department is thereby developing a National Demand Management Strategy that will support the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, which will be aligned with the revised CAP23 targets.
• To oversee delivery of the Sustainable Mobility Policy, officials in the department established a Leadership Group. Under this Group, a Delivery Team identified 35 exemplar ‘pathfinder’ projects and initiatives to be delivered by 2025 that will champion sustainable mobility projects across the county.
• A broad variety of projects were selected ranging from national game-changing proposals like making College Green in Dublin car-free or locating a brand-new integrated public and active travel hub, with a new bridge across the Suir River in Waterford City, to smaller, creative and equally effective projects like a Bus-it-2-school project in Co. Meath or a pilot programme in Co. Leitrim to integrate local link with a hackney and community e-bike scheme.
• The Pathfinder Programme is focused on reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector, by enabling the shift to cleaner transport choices. The Pathfinder Programme will bring increased momentum to the delivery of projects at a local level, providing templates for replication and scaling up elsewhere and with a strong emphasis on experimental and innovative approaches.
• The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy sets out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan targets and European obligations as well as ensuring European sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction criteria are adhered to concerning renewable transport fuel.
• This is implemented through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), provided for under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (as amended), which places an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that road transport fuel contains a proportion of renewable transport fuel. The policy’s ongoing implementation has been supported through the enactment of enabling legislation and regulations, including RTFO rates, the award of RTFO certificates to incentivise the supply of certain renewable fuels, and the implementation of E10 petrol as standard. A public information awareness campaign on the move to E10 petrol as standard in Ireland commenced earlier this year and will run until July when the regulations become operational. Following consultation, the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023-2025 is being finalised for publication in Q2, achieving CAP23 action TR 23/63. The policy statement will set out specific policy actions over the next two years and includes an indicative trajectory out to 2030 for the increase in the rates of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation rate, Advanced Biofuel rate and rate of reduction for high-ILUC risk feedstocks.
• Cycling and Walking
• The Programme for Government committed to cross-Government spending of around €360 million per annum for active travel measures throughout the lifetime of the Government. The majority of this funding comes from the Department of Transport and will contribute to the development of almost 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country by 2025.
• In 2023, €290 million has been made available to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the delivery of approximately 1,200 walking and cycling projects across Ireland. This funding constitutes a significant increase on investment levels even a few years ago, with funding of €45 million invested in Active Travel in 2019. In addition to the significant investment in Active Travel, €63 million is being invested in our Greenway network this year through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), an increase of over €40 million based on 2019 funding levels. The number of Greenways in development in Ireland has increased from 13 in 2019, to over 70 projects currently underway.
• The Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways was published in December 2021.
• The Tralee/Fenit and Listowel/Limerick County Boundary greenways were opened in Q3 2022. The Limerick Greenway officially opened in July 2022 after months of extensive refurbishment. The Royal Canal Greenway was completed between Maynooth in Co. Kildare and Clondara in Co. Longford in 2020. Work is ongoing on the greenway bridge in Athlone (part of Galway to Dublin Greenway) which is due for completion in Q3 2023. The preferred route on the section from Athlone to Galway has been identified and is now at planning and design stage. A Design and Environmental Impact Assessment Report is expected to be completed in Q1 2025.
• Some of the other projects that were progressed in 2022 include; sections of the Grand Canal Greenway in Offaly, Kildare and South County Dublin, the Blessington Greenway in Wicklow, the Mid-Shannon Wilderness Greenway in Longford (Corlea Bog), Wicklow to Greystones Greenway and the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway.
• The following greenway projects commenced construction in 2021/2022 with completion expected in 2023: A significant stretch of the Grand Canal Greenway (specific sections include Aylmers Bridge to Sallins; Daingean to Tullamore Henesy’s Bridge to Turraun; Daingean to Edenderry and Turraun to Shannon Harbour; a section of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway; the Connemara Greenway from Clifden to Recess and Midleton to Youghal Greenway.
• Progress is also being made on the cross-border greenways. Routes 2 (Derry to Muff) and 3 (Lifford to Strabane) are completed as part of the Northwest Greenway with remaining sections due for completion by 2024. It is envisaged that the Carlingford Lough Greenway will also be competed in 2024. The Sligo Leitrim & Northern Counties (SLNCR) Greenway is at Phase 2, options selection of a defined eight phase process. In addition, approximately half of the 12 sections of the Ulster Canal Greenway are at the pre-planning stage.
• TII launched a public consultation on the development of a new National Cycle Network which was completed in Q2 2022. The plan comprises of a 3,500km network that will criss-cross the country, connecting more than 200 villages, towns and cities. The network will include cycling links to transport hubs, education centres, employment centres, leisure and tourist destinations, and support “last mile” bicycle deliveries. The National Cycle Network plan is due for publication in Q3 2023.
• A draft Cycle Network Plan for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) has been published on the National Transport Authority (NTA) website. An updated version is due for publication shortly. Cycle plans for the remaining counties outside the GDA were published for consultation as part of the NTA’s CycleConnects Plan in 2022. The finalised CycleConnects Plan will be published before the end of 2023.
• Active Travel teams are now in place in all 31 local authorities, with the number of dedicated staff for Active Travel projects increasing from 57 in January 2021 to around 240 as of 31 March 2023.
• The Safe Routes to Schools Initiative was established during 2021, with the first phase of 170 schools selected in June 2021, 167 of which remain actively engaged in the Programme. As of 31 May 2023, projects at 22 schools have been completed with all remaining schools at various stages of progress through the Programme. 108 additional schools were selected for inclusion in Round 2 of the Programme on 12 December 2022 which brought the total number of schools currently in SRTS to 275.
• My department funds the delivery of CycleRight training through Cycling Ireland. The 2022 target of 28,000 pupils was exceeded with over 30,000 students receiving training under the CycleRight Programme, and a target of 42,000 students has been set for 2023.
• Thresholds under the Cycle to Work scheme have been increased in recent budgets to allow for the purchase of e-bikes and cargo bikes or e-bikes. The latter was included in the Finance Act following Budget 2023 last September, with an allowance of up to €3,000 available for individuals to put towards the purchase of a cargo bike or cargo e-bikes.
• Transport Infrastructure
• MetroLink: A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when Cabinet granted Decision Gate (DG) 1 approval under the Public Spending Code (PSC) to MetroLink. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage, and on 30 September, TII submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning consultation for the project closed on 16 January 2023. TII is currently preparing the Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy for MetroLink for consideration at Decision Gate 2 of the PSC.
• BusConnects Dublin: The programme preliminary business case and detailed project brief for next-generation ticketing were approved by Government in March 2022, at Public Spending Code Decision Gates 1 and 2 respectively. Planning applications have been submitted to An Bord Pleanála for nine of the Core Bus Corridors.
• The Network Redesign for the entire Dublin network is being rolled out over 11 phases and currently the NTA expect it to be completed by early 2025. Roll out of the plan began in 2021 with the launch of the first two phases – the H-Spine (Howth/Malahide to City Centre) in June and the C-Spine (Lucan/Celbridge to Ringsend via City Centre) in November 2021. Phase 3 was launched in May 2022. It consisted of two Northern Orbital Routes (N4 Blanchardstown to Point Village and N6 Finglas to Howth Junction). Phase 4, the G-Spine and Route 60 (Ballyfermot/Liffey Valley/Red Cow to the Docklands via city centre) was launched in October 2022. A fifth phase, Phase 5a (Western Orbitals), was launched on 25^thJune.
• BusConnects Galway: The Salmon Weir Bridge project has been completed and the bridge was opened to the public in May 2023. A planning application in respect of the Dublin Road scheme will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2023.
• BusConnects Cork:Following an extensive public consultation process, the new network was finalised and published in June 2022. A second round of public consultation on the Preferred Route Options for the Sustainable Transport Corridors was launched on 30th March and ran until 25th May 2023. Following on from this, it is hoped to advance proposals for planning consent to An Bord Pleanála in about 18 to 24 months’ time.
• DART Expansion: Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the overall DART+ Programme in December 2021 allowing progression of DART+ West (at Decision Gate 1) and DART+ Fleet (at Decision Gate 3).
  • DART+ West: A Railway Order application for DART+ West was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on 29 July 2022, with statutory public consultation closing on 28 October 2022.
  • DART+ South West: Government approved the updated Preliminary Business Case in March 2023 at Decision Gate 1. This allowed for a Railway Order application to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála on 22 March 2023.
  • DART+ Fleet: Following Government approval for DART+ Fleet, an initial order was placed with Alstom in December 2021 for 95 new carriages, consisting of 30 battery-electric and 65 battery-electric carriages, with the fleet entering service in 2025. In November 2022 the Government approved an order for a further 90 new battery-electric train carriages from Alstom for delivery in 2026.
• Cork Light Rail - An engineering design team has been appointed to undertake an alignment options study and identify the optimum alignment for the proposed light rail line. It is anticipated that a draft proposal will be finalised early in 2023, which will then be the subject of a non-statutory public consultation launching in July.
• Galway Light Rail will be considered in the context of a review of the Galway Transport Strategy in 2023. Other GDA light rail proposals are being examined as part of the revised GDA Strategy.
• The N5 Westport to Turlough opened on 15 June 2023 and the N22 Macroom Bypass opened on 9 December 2022. Major national road projects under construction include the remainder of the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project, the new Dunkettle Interchange, N69 Listowel Bypass and the N59 Moycullen Bypass. In 2023, funding was provided to TII for the progression of significant number of major projects specified in the NDP.
• In 2023, €626 million was allocated at the start of the year for investment in the regional and local road network, with about 90% directed to road maintenance and renewal and the balance for targeted road improvement schemes. Road improvement projects include the construction of the Athy Southern Distributor Road; Shannon Crossing / Killaloe Bypass/ R494 Upgrade; Tralee Northern Relief Road together with the completion of advance/emergency works and the retender of the main construction contract related to the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road. A range of regional and local road minor/safety improvement schemes are also being implemented.
• Public Transport
• The Young Adult Card was launched on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services on the 9 May 2022 enabling those aged between 19 and 23 to avail of an average 50% discount in their public transport fares. The Scheme was extended to participating commercial bus operators (CBOs) on 4 September 2022. Further, in October 2022, the Scheme was widened to include third level students aged 16 to 18.
• As part of the suite of Cost-of-Living measures, in May 2022 Government introduced a 20% average fare reduction on all Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services.
• As part of the total funding package of €563.55m that was secured for PSO and Local Link services under Budget 2023, funding has been provided for the continuation of the Young Adult Card on both PSO and CBO services, and for the continuation of the 20% average fare discount on PSO services.
• On 27 April 2023, the NTA published its National Fares Strategy for commuter and inter-urban journeys on Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus and rail services, with exact fares determinations to be made later in the year. Under this Strategy, changes introduced in future fares determinations will reflect a more consistent, equitable approach, and one that is easier to understand for customers.
• The BusConnects G-Spine, serving areas such as Ballyfermot, Liffey Valley, Clondalkin and Islandbridge, was launched in October 2022. This follows the introduction of the H Spine in June 2021, running from Howth and Malahide to the city, the C Spine in November 2021, from Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, and Lucan, through the city to Ringsend and Sandymount, and the northern orbital routes which were introduced in May 2022.
• BusConnects Phase 5a was launched on Sunday the 25^thof June. The new routes are titled W4 (the Square in Tallaght to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre), W61 (Hazelhatch Station just outside Celbridge and Maynooth Community College, stopping at Celbridge Main St., Salesian College and Maynooth Station) and W62 (Newcastle in south-west Dublin and the Square in Tallaght) and will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland.
• A consultation report regarding the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan was published on 3 May 2022.
• Routes identified through the Connecting Ireland consultation process were prioritised to provide emergency public transport services to people fleeing the war in Ukraine and housed in rural or isolated locations to ensure better access to our local communities. This continues to be achieved through an acceleration of network improvements, including additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim to increase connectivity.
• Throughout 2022, Phase 1 of the Plan delivered 38 new and enhanced bus services. The revisions were implemented on routes and service serving areas in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Clare, Sligo, Kildare, Offaly, Mayo and Wexford.
• In February 2023, Phase 2 of Connecting Ireland was launched, with 67 new and enhanced bus services announced for implementation across 2023.
• The Rural Transport Programme, now operating under the TFI Local Link brand, provides scheduled and demand responsive public transport services in rural areas nationwide. There has been a substantial increase in funding for TFI Local Link services going from €12 million in 2016 to over €42 million in 2023. The additional funding has enabled the introduction of 100 new Rural Regular Service routes operating at least 5 times per day over a 5,6,7 days per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages.
• Regarding the commitment to establish a National Public Transport Forum, this has been incorporated into the Government's National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) published in April 2022. In line with the SMP the department convened its National Sustainable Mobility Forum in Athlone, Co. Westmeath in April 2023.
• The Forum provided stakeholders with an update on progress as well as an opportunity to feed into the development of related policy and served as a platform for wider collaborative engagement with national, regional and local stakeholders around the implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Policy.
• A report on the outcomes of the Forum, and a recording of its opening plenary session, will be made available in the coming weeks.
• Buses
• Ongoing work including commencement of preliminary design work for Core Bus Corridors in Cork and enhanced bus signal priority at signalised junctions is included in all plans for the BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridors and in the other cities. The procurement process for the Next Generation Ticketing project has commenced.
• No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for the PSO bus fleet since 2019. By the end of 2023, it is expected that there will be 454 low or zero-emission buses in the national bus fleet, out of a total fleet of 1,765 buses.
• Decarbonisation of Road Transport
• Electric vehicles (EVs) are a prominent mitigation measure in Ireland’s 2021 Climate Action Plan and we have set an ambitious target of nearly one million EVs on our roads by 2030. As of May 2023, there are over 91,700 EVs on our roads.
• In addition, while a national ambition has been firmly established that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emission capable, EU Member States are unable to move unilaterally on the introduction of a fossil-fuelled car ban by 2030. Ireland is already a signatory to a non-paper to the European Commission requesting a phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the EU in line with the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 as well as the introduction of a legal framework that allows Member States to move ahead by taking action at national level to incentivise early phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans.
• An Implementation Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Report of the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group and consider further potential measures and barriers to the adoption of the EVs. A key recommendation of the Report was that an office be established “to co-ordinate, manage and deliver on key policy pathway actions”. Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) launched on 21 July 2022 to act as a one-stop-shop for members of the public interested in purchasing or using an EV. The office provides independent, non-sales advice and information on EVs, and supports test driving experiences as well as commissioning research and assisting in policy development.
• In the course of negotiations on proposals for revised regulations on CO2 emission limits for cars and vans under the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, Ireland aligned with other high-ambition member states, as signatory to a joint non-paper submitted to the European Commission, which included a call for a transparent legal framework at EU level to be established that would allow Member States to take action at a national level to incentivise the early phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. While Ireland welcomes the outcome of the Council’s negotiations with the European Parliament that has set a 2035 phase-out date for the manufacture of fossil-fuelled cars and vans, modelling undertaken for our national Climate Action Plan has indicated that to meet our emissions abatement targets in the transport sector, we will need to accelerate our vehicle fleet transition, such that 100% of new car sales are electric vehicles by 2030. ZEVI supports the achievement of such EV targets, and in line with recitals set out under the agreed regulations for CO2 emissions performance standards for cars and vans (cf. Recital (31)), Department officials will continue to engage with the European Commission alongside our EU partners on the identification of options to facilitate the wider electric vehicle transition and consider the need for additional measures in line with national policies.
• A range of grants and incentives continue to be available to drivers making the switch to an EV, both privately and commercially. New incentives established since 2020 include:
  • The Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme – launched in 2021 to promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, and to assist road transport companies to transition from fossil fuels. The Scheme supports the purchase of new large vans, trucks, buses and coaches. Since the AFHDV scheme was launched in 2021, grants have been approved for 44 applications and a corresponding 180 vehicles. 15 grants have been paid out so far.
  • The EV Commercial Fleet Trial - launched 21 July 2022 to afford businesses the opportunity to test an EV free of charge for a minimum period of 3 months. Its purpose is to show, through real world evidence, the benefits, savings and the suitability and viability of EVs in a commercial setting. 75 businesses have had EVs placed to date.
  • The apartment charger grant - assists residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments who want to install a home charger for their Electric Vehicle (EV). 33 applications have been received with 21 grant offers issued.
• In January this year, the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure was launched, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
• The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 fulfils the commitment to legislate for e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as the commitment to legislate if necessary to address anti-social use of scrambler bikes and other machines. The Act, which also addresses a wide range of other necessary matters, was signed into law by the President on 23 June 2023. Secondary legislation under the Road Traffic Acts is required to introduce e-scooters. Technical and usage regulations for e-scooters are in progress. Technical regulations are required to be notified to the EU Commission as part of the EU TRIS Process for a minimum of 12 weeks. It is anticipated that all necessary e-scooter regulations will be in place in Q4 2023.
• E-mopeds (high power e-bikes) will require registration, motor tax, insurance and a driver licence. It is expected that the administrative requirements, which may include legislation, for each of these elements will be in place by January 2024, when the e-bike provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Act will be commenced.
• There are three measures to address misuse of scramblers. Dangerous driving, previously an offence only in a ‘public place’, will become an offence in any location. New powers will allow me to make regulations barring certain classes of vehicle from certain classes of territory, and there will be new Garda powers to seize vehicles being used dangerously.
• At the recent COP27 in Egypt, Ireland became a signatory to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, which targets a new sales share of 30 percent for zero emission trucks and buses that are 3.5 tonnes or over by 2030.
• The 10-Year Road Haulage Strategy, published in December 2022, sets out the strategic and policy direction for the haulage and heavy goods road freight sector for the next decade. A key recommendation within the strategy was the establishment of a Road Freight Forum. The Road Freight Forum met for the first time in February 2023 with representatives from industry, Department of Transport and agencies and academics.
• The Review of the current motor taxation regime to ensure it adequately captures the harm caused by NOx (nitrogen oxide) and SOx (sulphur oxide) emissions would have to be carried out in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, who has responsibility for overall tax policy and Vehicle Registration Tax. Such a review has not commenced to date. Motor tax is currently based only on C02 for private cars registered from 2008. A NOx surcharge applies to the VRT on all private cars since 1 January 2020. CO2 and NOx emissions are detailed in the manufacturer’s Certificate of Conformity for all new vehicles. However, SOx emissions are not detailed on the Certificate or as part of the NCT. Some new means of capturing this data would be required if SOx emissions were to be used for tax purposes.
• Rail
• In Cork, Phase 1 of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme, largely funded through the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is to be completed by end-2026. This will facilitate more commuter rail services in the Cork area and the longer-term electrification of this network. Work on the overall programme is underway and the Preliminary Business Case is being developed. The frequency of a number of rail services in the Cork Metropolitan Area were doubled in July 2022, with a frequency of every 30 minutes to/from Cork-Cobh and Cork-Midleton and a frequency of every 15 minutes to/from Cork and Glounthaune.
• Relocation of Plunkett Station in Waterford is being funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (Department of Housing, Local Government and Hertitage) as part of the regeneration plans for Waterford City.
• Upgrade of Ceannt Station, included in NDP, Irish Rail have submitted its Final Business Case to the NTA. Subject to approval, Irish Rail anticipate the award of the contract in July 2023 with construction to be completed in Q1 2026.
• Oranmore Station, included in NDP: A multi-disciplinary design team has been appointed by Irish Rail. Design work for the project is at an early stage of development; however, the overall project is currently expected to complete the construction stage by Q3 of 2025.
• An All-Island Strategic Rail Review is considering inter-regional and inter-urban connectivity on the rail network out to 2050, including the potential for high-/higher speed rail and rail freight. Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage, it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July. It is expected that the final Review will be published in the autumn of 2023.