Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I wish to thank Deputy Devlin for his question. I will refer to my recent response to Deputy Higgins parliamentary question [Dáil Question 55] of December 6^th2023.

"My Department is responsible for the implementation of 54 specific commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, as well as playing a critical role in supporting other commitments.

Key updates regarding policy achievements in 2023 with respect to these commitments, as sought by the Deputy, are set out below.

Climate Action Plan

The Transport chapter of the national Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) brought 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.

My Department 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.

As well as work programmes to support climate change mitigation, the Climate Action Plan sets out integrated actions to progress and support crucial climate change adaptation actions. The statutory Transport Sectoral Adaptation Plan, involving stakeholder mapping, establishing a baseline ‘state of play’ for adaptation readiness under a pilot monitoring, reporting and evaluation framework, and holding a first meeting of key stakeholders who will be directly involved in steering and developing the revised plan, will be published by the indicative CAP23 timeline of Q2 2025.

Research is undertaken under the Climate Action Plan hierarchy of AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE and to support climate change adaptation and plays a key role in identifying and addressing gaps in data, and in modelling the impacts of emissions and carbon reduction measures across the interconnected transport, economic and social systems.

The National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) which was published in April 2022 forms a key element of our decarbonisation pathway and sets out an ambition 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. The Climate Action Plan 2023 revised these targets to a 50% increase in daily active travel journeys, a 130% increase in daily public transport journeys, and a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030. A Year One Progress Report detailing the status of SMP actions up to April 2023 was published in August of this year and may also be found on Gov.ie

Subsequent modelling undertaken for CAP23 to inform the design of a decarbonisation pathway capable of meeting the sectoral emission ceilings for transport established byGovernment in July 2022, suggests that an even greater level of ambition will be required. While fleet electrification and the use of renewable transport fuels are expected to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the medium term, approximately 2 MtCO2eq of emissions abatement will be required to be achieved in 2030 through AVOID + SHIFT measures. My Department is developing a National Demand Management Strategy to ensure greater efficiencies in the usage of our transport network and to help reduce vehicle kilometres travelled. This Strategy, which will undergo extensive consultation before publication, will support the SMP, which will be aligned with the revised CAP23 targets.

The SMP Pathfinder Programme, which was launched in October 2022 consists of exemplar transport projects and activities in 19 counties, with a strong emphasis on experimental and innovative approaches, to be delivered at pace by 2025. Many of the projects will incorporate aspects of road space reallocation, shared mobility, rural community-based transport solutions, behavioural change, and communications. They will also meet key criteria on issues such as health, well-being, place-making, permeability, and universal design. Two Pathfinder projects were completed in 2023: the Athlone Bus Electrification project and Smarter Travel Mark.

Two further Pathfinder projects – the Longford Town Core Cycle Network and the Cork to Waterford Inter-Urban Demonstrator – have also had sections completed in 2023. In the case of Longford, the N63 Majors Well Road project has been completed and two further sections remain on track to be delivered by the end of 2024. Two sections of the Cork to Waterford Inter-Urban Demonstrator Pathfinder, namely Bilberry to Waterford City and Dunkettle to Carrigtohill, were completed in June 2023, with further sections due for completion in 2024 and 2025. This pathfinder is helping to create a seamless cycling link between Cork and Waterford.

Under our IMPROVE programme, 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.

My Department published the updated Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023-2025 (www.gov.ie/en/publication/af803-renewable-transport-fuel-policy-2023-2025/) on 28 June 2023 achieving CAP23 action TR 23/63 , following stakeholder engagement and consultation. The policy statement sets 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 fuels. The policy continues to provide a framework for ongoing consultation, analysis and review towards meeting targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023 and European obligations for renewable energy supply for use in transport. The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy is reviewed every two years.

My Department has established working groups to support the implementation of renewable transport fuel policy actions on biofuel sustainability, meeting European targets for renewable transport energy share and to support the development of legislation. Supporting each of these working groups is the establishment of an expert panel to provide industry knowledge and insight with the first meeting held on 1 December.

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. My Department ran an E10 petrol public information and awareness campaign through advertising since the regulations were enacted and the gov.ie/E10 (www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/933b3-e10-drive-to-zero/) website remains the main point of reference for further information.

My Department has also established an inter Departmental Working Group on Alternative Fuels for transport with the first meeting taking place on 29 September. The Working Group is to coordinate action by stakeholders with policy responsibility for alternative fuels in transport (encompassing zero-emissions energy and fuel, renewable fuel, and low carbon fuel as defined in the EU alternative fuel legislation) and related infrastructure and vehicle technology for alternative fuels in transport use, aligning with relevant national policy for future production of alternative fuels.

Cycling and Walking

The Programme for Government committed to cross-Government spending of around €360 million per annum for walking and cycling throughout the lifetime of the Government. The majority of this funding comes from my Department and will contribute to the development of around 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country by 2025.

In 2023, €290 million was made available to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the delivery of approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects across Ireland. This funding constitutes a significant increase on investment levels in recent years, with funding of €45 million invested in Active Travel in 2019. Investment in Active Travel infrastructure in 2023 is likely to be even higher, with a forecasted spend of €340 million, utilising funds from underspends elsewhere in the Department.

Significant projects completed or progressed to date through the Active Travel Programme include the Bilberry to City Centre Greenway link in Waterford, the Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge in Galway and the Clontarf to City Centre route in Dublin.

€12 million was allocated to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in 2023 for Active Travel projects which link urban centres to major road projects. These projects, most of which are at early stages of development, include the Dunkettle Waterfront Cycleway in Cork, Active Travel linkages in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and cycle path projects along the N2 in Monaghan. Active travel infrastructure is also incorporated, where possible, into major National Roads projects progressed by TII as part of their overall capital roads programme.

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.

In 2023, there have been section openings on the South East Greenway (6km), Great Western Greenway (5km), Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway (9km) as well as the opening of a 104m long pedestrian and cycleway bridge in Athlone over the River Shannon. Other schemes completed in 2023 include sections of the Grand Canal Greenway in Counties Offaly and Kildare. An 8km section opening on the Youghal to Midleton Greenway is expected in early 2024.

Work is ongoing in relation to the Athlone to Galway Greenway. A project milestone was achieved in 2023 with the completion of a pedestrian and cycleway bridge across the River Shannon. An emerging preferred route for the scheme was published in March 2023. The scheme has been on hold since September 2023 due to ongoing negotiations between the lead local authority, Westmeath County Council and the consultant.

Landowner liaison continues in relation to this scheme. The lead local authority, Westmeath County Council are currently liaising with TII and other participating local authorities to identify the most appropriate and effective mechanism for progressing and delivering the scheme through the design and environmental evaluation processes.

Progress is also being made on the cross-border greenways:

Routes 2 (Derry to Quigley’s Point) and 3 (Castlefinn to Strabane) are under construction as part of the Northwest Greenway with completion expected in early 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. The second public consultation is closed on 17th November 2023.

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 interurban 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 Q4 2023.

In tandem with the National Cycle Network, the NTA are developing CycleConnects which will outline planned cycling infrastructure investment withinurban areas around the country. Proposals for intra-urban cycling links in key cities, towns and villages in each of the 22 counties outside the Greater Dublin Area are included in the plan. CycleConnects builds on the cycling plans already developed for the GDA and, together with the National Cycle Network, will create an overall comprehensive cycle network for Ireland. The draft CycleConnects plan is currently undergoing environmental assessment and is due for publication in early 2024. 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 across the country.

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. 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. As of 31 October 2023, projects at 32 schools have been completed with all remaining schools at various stages of progress through the Programme. In addition, all Active Travel projects progressed by the NTA aim to incorporate linkages to schools where possible, whether they are part of the SRTS programme or not.

My Department also 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 it is expected that around 35,000 students will be trained in 2023, in line with the target in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy of an additional 5,000 students per annum completing the training.

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. In July 2023, TII appointed a Client Partner, led by Turner & Townsend, to support the efficient and effective delivery of the next phases of the project.

DART Expansion: Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the overall DART+ Programme in December 2021 which has continued to progress to date in 2023.

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. An Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing from the 28^thSept to 13^thOct 2023 and a decision is awaited.

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.

Light Rail Expansion:

Dublin: The preliminary business case for the Luas Finglas project has been submitted to my Department by the NTA for review and I hope to bring this to Government in the coming months for approval in line with the Public Spending Code. This will enable the project to enter the statutory planning process through the submission of a Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála.

Cork: Work on identifying a precise route for Luas Cork is progressing well. In discussions with Cork City Council this summer, it was agreed that some additional work should be undertaken in relation to the city centre section prior to commencing the public consultation stage. TII, in collaboration with the NTA, are now undertaking that additional work, in consultation with Cork City Council. That task is likely to take a couple of months and it is now anticipated that the Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork will be published in the new year and a non-statutory public consultation process will then be undertaken.

Galway: The NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council are currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), which will replace the 2016 Galway Transport Strategy. As part of GMATS, a feasibility study of light rail is being undertaken. This feasibility study has commenced, the baseline assessments have been concluded and Options Assessment is currently underway. The feasibility study will be completed before the end of 2023. It is anticipated that the public consultation on the draft GMATS will commence in early 2024, and the publication of the completed updated strategy will follow after a review and consideration of the public consultation responses.

The N5 Westport to Turlough opened on 15 June 2023 and the N22 Macroom Bypass opened on 9 December 2022 and the remainder of the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project was officially opened on 6^thNovember 2023. Major national road projects under construction include 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 20% average reduction on PSO fares, the 90-minute fare and the Young Adult Card Scheme were all continued in 2023.

On the 27th of April 2023, the NTA published a new National Fares Strategy which combines elements of distance and equitability between routes, and proposes an approach aimed at providing better value, greater transparency and equality in respect of journey distance. The NTA’s current aim is to publish the Fares Determination before year-end.

BusConnects Dublin: Phase 5a – the Western Orbitals – operated by Go-Ahead Ireland was launched on the 25th of June. This phase of the BusConnects programme serves the west and south-west regions of Dublin, including Newcastle, Saggart, Citywest, Tallaght, Liffey Valley, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Hazelhatch, Maynooth, and Celbridge. On the 26th of November, the NTA in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, introduced Phase 5b of the BusConnects programme which includes five new orbital routes across south and West Dublin, alongside three additional routes. The new routes, promise increased frequency and more direct connections, resulting in a 70% service increase compared to the routes they are replacing.

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 is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2024.

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.

Transport response to Ukrainian Crisis – The provision of emergency public transport services Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) continued throughout 2023. This is mainly focussed on improving connectivity for BOTPs housed in remote parts of Ireland.

In February 2023, Phase 2 of Connecting Ireland was launched. Under Phase 2, which started in February 2023, over one new service per week continues to be rolled nationwide. These services also include a fully electrified service from Galway to Tuam (Route 438).

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 €43 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. My Department will be engaging independent external consultants to undertake a policy review of the Rural Transport Programme to be completed in Q1 2024.

Starting with Carlow Town in July 2023, a programme of planned new and enhanced town services is underway between 2023 – 2025. The Carlow town service was launched on 30 July 2023 and is operated by Bus Éireann. With the introduction of this new services, 94% of Carlow town’s population will be now within an 800-metre walk of a bus stop on the new town service network

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 my Department convened its first 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. Two reports into the outcomes of the Forum may be found on Gov.ie, while a recording on the Department’s YouTube channel.

Buses

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.

Electric bus purchases for 2024 includes the purchase of circa 70 new double-deck electric buses for Dublin and 101 new double-deck electric buses for outside Dublin, covering Limerick, Galway and Cork.

Depot charging projects at Summerhill and Phibsboro are progressing with Summerhill operational in November 2023 with electric buses absorbed into the fleet at the depot at a rate of up to 5 per week and Phibsboro operational from January with electric buses absorbed into the fleet at a rate of up to 5 per week.

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 November 2023, there are just over 109,00 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.

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 National Strategy is being expanded upon to create bespoke EV infrastructure plans which will set out the process for delivery and roll-out of a variety of charging infrastructure models such as:

A high-powered en-route charging strategy, providing for charging along motorways and national routes

A local and destination charging strategy, which itself will support regional strategies at local authority level as well as public and private sector destination charging.

Universal design guidelines, which will ensure that charging is accessible and user friendly

These actions, as well as a suite of related programmes across both ZEVI and its stakeholders and partners, will ensure that the roll-out of EV charging is not only compliant with our national and international obligations, but also provides charging infrastructure which meets the needs of users regardless of their vehicle type, their geographic location or their specific demand for charging.

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.

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. A report on the trial scheme is expected in 2024.

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).

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 were required to be notified to the EU Commission as part of the EU TRIS Process for a minimum of 12 weeks and this process was completed on 6^thOctober. The EU Commission submitted comments in relation to the draft technical regulations and these are under consideration currently.

It is anticipated that all necessary e-scooter regulations will be in place in Q1 2024 – Commencement Order, Technical and Usage, Detention of E-scooters (powers for AGS), Use of Powered Personal Transporters (only permitting e-scooters and no other form of PPT), Traffic & Parking, Signs and Fixed Charge Notice regulations.

E-mopeds (high power e-bikes) will require registration, motor tax, a driver licence and mandatory safety equipment. E-mopeds that are pedal-assisted will not require insurance under the upcoming transposition of the EU Motor Insurance Directive. However, those e-mopeds that can be propelled without pedalling will require insurance. It is expected that the administrative requirements, which may include legislation, for each of these elements will be in place in Q1 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 for the making of regulations barring certain classes of vehicle from certain classes of territory, and there will be new Garda powers to seize vehicles being used dangerously.

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 three times in 2023 with representatives from industry, Department of Transport and agencies and academics.

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. All works associated with Phase 1 will be completed by end-2026 as required by the European Commission.

This will see a significant investment (€164m of EU funds) in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.

A planning application was submitted to Cork City Council seeking planning consent for the additional platform at Kent Station. Following approval from Cork City Council, the contract to build the through-platform at Kent Station was awarded by Iarnród Éireann to John Craddock Ltd. in early 2023. Enabling works have commenced on site with construction expected to be completed next year.

A four-week non-statutory public consultation on the preferred option for double tracking the current single line between Glounthaune and Midleton concluded in August 2022. The feedback received fed into the Railway Order application, which was submitted by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to An Bord Pleanála in November 2022. An Bord Pleanála granted a Railway Order to CIÉ in October 2023.

In addition to the Kent Station and double-tracking works above, in June Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to Alstom for a major signalling upgrade project on the Cork Commuter Rail network, to increase the number of trains which can operate between Cork and Cobh, Midleton and Mallow.

Relocation of Plunkett Station in Waterford is being funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) as part of the regeneration plans for Waterford City. The project continues to progress well with Iarnród Éireann working closely with the contractor and Waterford County Council to manage the interface with the railway.

Upgrade of Ceannt Station, included in NDP. The construction contract has been awarded and site works commenced in November 2023. Construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-2026.

Oranmore Station, included in NDP: A multidisciplinary design team has been appointed by Irish Rail. The team are currently undertaking preparation of the planning application and the Preliminary Business Case. 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 and a draft report was published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July. The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by the Project Team and officials from both jurisdictions.

Bike storage at stations is being considered on an ongoing basis between Iarnród Éireann and the NTA. DART+ Fleet will allow for increased bike-carrying capacity on commuter fleet into the future.

Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs)/Taxis

The greening of the taxi fleet continues to be prioritised with almost 3,000 vehicles grant aided since the scheme’s inception.

The eSPSV infrastructure scheme was designed to encourage more taxi drivers to convert to electric vehicles. The project involves installing taxi dedicated electric vehicle chargers at major transport hubs nationwide. Chargers have been installed in Dublin (Heuston), Cork and Limerick (Colbert) train stations as well as Dublin and Cork airports. Additional funds have been allocated to this project with further high-powered charge points currently being installed at five additional Irish Rail stations this year.

35 applications were received across 15 of the 21 designated areas for the Local Area Hackney pilot scheme, 2023.

Two applicants were fully licensed, grant aided and are operating hackneys in the areas of Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath and Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. Applicants associated with the remaining areas have chosen not to progress with their initial applications. The NTA will undertake a review of the LAH pilot at a later date.

Road Safety

Implementation of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 is well underway, involving multiple agencies and Departments and being directed by the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board and the Ministerial Road Safety Committee.

The Strategy is currently in Phase 1, which runs from 2021 to 2024. Phase 1 includes close to 200 concrete actions, divided into 50 high-impact actions and supporting actions.

Progress has been steady, with a majority on track to be delivered within the Phase 1 timeframe.

Some legislative barriers have been removed through the signing into law of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 in June, enabling work on e-Scooters, e-Bikes, average speed cameras and regulated use of CCTV to progress. The new Act meets key Programme for Government commitments to legislate for e-scooters and e-bikes, and to strengthen legislation against anti-social use of scramblers and other machines. In addition, the publication of the National Cycling Manual in September has allowed several cycling action items to progress.

A key output from the strategy was the delivery of the Speed Limit Review, which was published in September. Publication fulfils a Programme for Government Commitment and, once implemented, the recommendations of the Review will contribute to improving road safety throughout the state.

The Programme for Government also commits to prioritising the consolidation of existing road traffic legislation and addressing any anomalies that may hinder enforcement. Positive initial discussions have been had on this issue between my Department and the Law Reform Commission and early planning has commenced on how this multi-year project might be delivered.

Demand Management

The PfG calls for Government to evaluate and bring forward demand management measures to incentivise sustainable travel. The National Demand Management Strategy, arises from a government commitment in the Climate Action Plan (2023), seeks to support a radical, yet equitable transformation in how we travel over the coming years, as we transition towards a fully decarbonised transport sector by 2050. It is intended that the Strategy will provide a roadmap of potential measures for implementing authorities, supporting them in their efforts to decarbonise the transport system. The core purpose of the Strategy is to define the types of measures that may be selected by implementing authorities to reduce vehicle kilometres travelled by 20% and reduce their carbon emissions.

The Strategy will also inform the NTA’s Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Demand Management Scheme.

In May 2023, a cross-governmental Steering Group was established to lead on the development of the strategy. In the first meeting, the Steering Group identified six key areas of focus. These are:

Optimal Use of Space;

Fiscal Measures;

Generators of Demand (Movement of People);

Generators of Demand (Movement of Goods);

Integrated Land Use and Transport Planning; and

Captive Car Users.

To consider these areas in turn, the Steering Group established six subgroups consisting of stakeholders from government departments and agencies, local authorities, industry, academia and NGOs. Specifically, the sub-groups are tasked with identifying demand management and related measures, including any barriers to implementation, that should be prioritised in Ireland.

My department, together with consultants, is incorporating the work of those groups into the overall strategy. A draft strategy will be presented to me by end 2023. Subject to its approval at that stage, my department will launch a period of public consultation on the draft document in early 2024.

Ports

In line with National Ports Policy (NPP) and the National Development Plan, the ports of Dublin, Cork, Shannon Foynes and Rosslare are all progressing major infrastructure projects to increase capacity for the trading needs for Ireland.

A number of ports and entities within ports are progressing plans for the delivery of port infrastructure to meet the requirements of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector in line with the policy statement published by my department in December 2021. My Department continues to engage with ports and colleagues in the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA)/Foreshore around the consenting requirements.

My Department recently facilitated workshops between MARA and ports with a view to optimally supporting port readiness for Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications in line with the establishment of MARA.

My department is a member of the Offshore Wind Delivery Task force and is responsible for actions under Workstream 6. This workstream plays a key role in supporting the development of port infrastructure and capabilities to maximise the use of Irish ports for offshore wind facilitation.

My department assisted ports in preparing applications for CEF funding in January 2023. I was delighted to see that Rosslare Europort and Doyle Shipping Group were successful in securing funding for studies relating to development of ORE port infrastructure. My department will continue to assist ports in the current CEF funding call which opened in September 2023.

My department hosted an ORE Facilitation Forum in June 2023. The purpose of this was to bring all parties together- ports, developers, MARA, IMDO- to give visibility on all the progress that had been made, and ensure momentum is maintained in relation to commercial discussions between ports and developers.

A review of National Ports Policy commenced on 19 October 2023 with the publication of an Issues Paper. Submissions are invited from all interested parties including ports, shipping operators, industry stakeholders involved in the broader logistics and supply chain sectors, academics, and the general public. The consultation will run until 15 January 2024. Part 2 will be a shorter public consultation on the Draft Policy document. The objective is to present a new draft policy to the Government in 2025 following a thorough and inclusive consultation.

Significant work which was undertaken during COVID-19 and Brexit to safeguard and increase maritime supply lines into and out of Ireland has continued to ensure maximum maritime connectivity. A significant number of additional routes and capacity to the Continent were introduced in the aftermath of Brexit. The number of weekly sailings to mainland European ports rose from 30 sailings per week to more than 60 since 2020. Capacity continues to be added in 2023. The Dublin-Santander and Rosslare-Zeebrugge routes has seen an increase in service frequency. In addition, larger vessels with greater freight and passenger capacity have been introduced on the Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare-Pembroke routes.

Iarnród Éireann has advised that works are progressing well on phase one of the works that will facilitate the reopening in 2025 of the 42km stretch of railway between Limerick and Foynes. This will assist Shannon Foynes Port Company in its development of a freight distribution hub as well as port infrastructure for ORE.

In September 2023 the Ireland - France Sail-Rail initiative was launched, meaning travellers between the two countries who use both the ferry and the train to start or continue their journey are now able to book their Sail-Rail tickets from the Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries websites, or in-person at 12 rail stations around the country, offering a more sustainable environmentally friendly form of international travel.

Aviation

Increasing the capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with our National Aviation Policy which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing Dublin Airport as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.

As part of Dublin Airport’s Capital Investment Plan (CIP 2020+), daa intends to submit an Infrastructure Application (IA) to the planning authority before the end of 2023. The IA will seek to allow the airport to grow beyond 32m passengers a year to 40m passengers a year. The application will also seek permission for all associated infrastructure required to support this increase in passengers including the construction of new aircraft piers and stands. A number of infrastructure projects will also be included that will enable daa to deliver on its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and to achieve its ambition of net zero by 2050.

The Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 provides support to Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers (on average over the two preceding financial years). In addition to targeting funding at safety and security related projects and activities, the Programme also supports projects with a sustainability focus, encouraging airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Donegal and Dublin are also supported under this Programme.

A mid-term review of the Programme was commenced in 2023. The primary focus of the review is on the performance of the Programme since 2021 to date. However, in order to consider how services to and from the regions can be maintained and enhanced, the mid-term review is also exploring how international connectivity and balanced regional development is being supported.

A Public Consultation, to inform the mid-term review, was held earlier this year. The findings of this public consultation are being considered as part of the mid-term review, which is currently being finalised by my Department with a view to it being complete by end December. My department continues to support aviation sustainability measures at EU and global level including leading on, or liaising with other Departments, in relation to the aviation specific ‘Fit for 55’ proposals.

The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation was concluded and published in the OJEU on 31 October 2023. The Regulation mandates aviation fuel suppliers to supply a minimum level of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to be blended in the aviation fuel supplied at Union airports from 1 January 2025. It also requires aircraft operators to uplift 90% of their journey fuel requirements from Union airports which aims torestrict the environmentally inefficient practice of fuel tankering and Union airports must take all measures necessary to facilitate aircraft operators access aviation fuels containing the mandated shares of SAF.

The Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) entered into force from 5June 2023 and among other measures, it phases out free allowances to airlines by 2026 thus encouraging further emissions reductions. It also recognises the importance of SAF in achieving our climate goals by aiming to incentivise its uptake through the inclusion of up to 20 million free allowances which may be granted in relation to SAF uptake, for the period from 2024 to the end of 2030. The revision also integrates the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme in International Aviation (CORSIA) into EU law.

My department continues to oversee Ireland’s participation in CORSIA and, in line with this, submitted the 2022 emissions of Irish registered aircraft operators to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in line with our commitments.

My department established the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Task Force in Q4 of 2023, to bring together stakeholders with responsibility for and interest in policy development and implementation in relation to SAF. One of its main tasks will be to assist my Department with the development of a national SAF Policy Roadmap, which will help inform policy formation to highlight the necessary stakeholder actions to ensure Ireland can meet its regulatory obligations to decarbonise aviation.

The Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022 provides for the restructuring of Ireland’s civil aviation regulatory framework to ensure compliance with international best practice. On 1 May 2023 pursuant to the Act, the safety and security regulation functions of the Irish Aviation Authority (‘IAA’) were merged with the economic and consumer interest functions of the Commission for Aviation Regulation to create a standalone single aviation regulator, also known as the IAA, with the air navigation functions of the IAA moving to a separate commercial semi-state company, AirNav Ireland.

Licensed Haulage Support Schemes

A temporary haulage support scheme was put in place by my Department in 2023, with €15.6 million paid out to 2,827 operators representing approx. 74% of the overall road haulage operators licensed in the State.

The Licensed Haulage Support Scheme came on the heels of a previous Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme in 2022, which was designed to assist haulage businesses dealing with a sudden and severe spike in diesel prices following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.

The second half of 2022 saw sustained historic highs in diesel price which were a continued risk to the liquidity of haulage businesses. The Licensed Haulage Support Scheme 2023 was a response to this sustained high price period.

Year on year, the number of haulage operators that applied for and received support under the Schemes dropped by 8%.

Both haulage support schemes operated under the EU Temporary Crisis Framework (TCF) on State Aid, adopted to address the economic impacts, in particular on energy prices, of the war in Ukraine.

Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week

In 2023, the Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group (LSCSG), which is currently chaired by my Department, successfully organised Ireland’s first ever Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week, which was held from 27 March to 1 April.

The objective of the Logistics Week was to promote the logistics and supply chain sector to students, potential new entrants and career changers. Following the success of this inaugural event, the second Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week will take place from Monday 26 February to Saturday 2 March 2024.

Public Transport Accessibility

I am committed to boosting a safe, green, accessible, and inclusive public transport offering for all, and especially disabled people, persons with disabilities and older people. While all new public transport services are accessible from the start, there are issues with older facilities and infrastructure. Funding for the retrofitting of such legacy facilities increased to €18m in 2023 under the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme.

In rural areas over 95% of TFI Local Link services are accessible. The Leitrim Pilot - between the NTA/Local Link and the HSE – continues to be successful with increased passenger numbers. Developed in close collaboration with the HSE, the revised public transport network is designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities, and those accessing (non-emergency) health care services in the county. Irish Rail’s five year ring-fenced ‘Big Lift’ programme is renewing and replacing life-expired lifts and lifts in poor condition, to ensure that the reliability and availability of lift access for disabled people. Since 2019, the number of lift outages has reduced from 642 to 212 across Ireland. In addition, over 40 lifts nationwide have had the Lift Call video security system installed in them.

Safe travel

A key priority for my Department is ensuring the safest possible travel experience for users of public transport services and infrastructure.

Under the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, my Department has committed to publish an annual ‘Public Transport Passenger Safety and Personal Security Report’ in conjunction with the NTA and implement measures where appropriate. The report is currently being drafted. The intention is to publish the report by end 2023."

My Department was also the winner of the National HR Champions award for change management across both public and private sectors this year, supporting overall business performance.