Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is responsible for the implementation of 54 specific commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shad Future, as well as playing a critical role in supporting other commitments. My Department’s Statement of Strategy, published this year and available on the Department’s website, sets out key high-level strategic goals to be delivered on between now and 2025.

Some of the key policy and legislative priorities in the area of transport for 2024 are set out below, and the Deputy may wish to be aware that the below is by no means exhaustive, with wide range of priorities to be progressed over the course of next year.

Aviation

Aviation Services

I will develop a national Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Policy Roadmap, with continued chairing, engagement and input from the Sustainable Aviation Task Force into SAF policy development. Domestic measures for the implementation of ReFuel EU Aviation will also be completed.

Airports

I will publish the outcome of the mid-term review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025.

Aviation Safety

I will publish a Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS – Drones) and complete and publish a review of safety and technical standards oversight by the Irish Aviation Authority as set out in section 32 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993.

Air Navigation Services

I will undertake a review of the National Aviation Policy 2015 to support sustainable development of Ireland’s international connectivity and strategically important aviation sector.

Climate Action

To support Climate Action Plan 2025 Development,I will update the transport emissions modelling suite to inform the design of any such corrective actions as may be required for the achievement of climate targets to be set out in CAP25.

I will conduct a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework (statutory and self-regulation) around the advertising and labelling of new cars and their emissions’ impacts.

I will publish and implement a Public Engagement Strategy on Climate Action and Sustainable Mobility, including the design, implementation and evaluation of targeted public engagement pilot initiatives.

Revision of the Transport Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan

Climate change adaptation is one of the two pillars of climate action together with climate mitigation. Adapting transport infrastructure and networks to build resilience and to exploit now unavoidable climate change impacts is a key priority for my Department as part of an integrated transition to sustainable mobility.

In 2024, I will continue development of the revision of the statutory Transport Sectoral Adaptation Plan in line with the indicative CAP23 publication timeline of Q2 2025, including assessment of Transport climate change vulnerabilities and the identification and assessment of climate change adaptation actions and implementation.

Sustainable Mobility and Demand Management

Under my Department’s Sustainable Mobility Policy, I will develop a National Demand Management Strategy and Implementation Plan and a National Policy Statement on Mobility Hubs.

There will be continued focus in 2024 on the implementation of the actions and objectives of the Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan and Pathfinder Programme, and I will also deliver the second National Sustainable Mobility Forum in 2024.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation & Alternative Fuels

I published the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025 in June 2023, setting out the indicative trajectory of increase of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and policy measures for the ongoing implementation of the RTFO over the next two years.

Aligned to the transposition of the third Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), in 2024 my Department will, together with the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, amend the legislation supporting the RTFO to provide for the national implementation of RED III transport targets. This will include amendments to the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, which provides for the RTFO.

RTFO Working Groups on Biofuel Sustainability and RES-T achieving compliance with National Energy and Climate Plan targets, established within the policy, will progress their work programmes and report on their recommendations in 2024.

I established an interdepartmental Alternative Fuels for Transport Working Group which will facilitate greater visibility on policy development and delivery across the transport and energy sectors in relation to the development of alternative fuels in transport. The group will also coordinate a variety of ongoing actions concerning alternative fuel infrastructure and renewable energy across the transport sub-sectors, land, aviation and maritime. This Working Group will produce a report by end-2024.

Alternative Fuels Infrastructure in Transport 2017-2030

I will publish an updated draft of our national policy framework on alternative fuels infrastructure, in line with the new requirements set by the recently adopted EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation.

Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland

Through Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), the dedicated Office set up by my Department and charged with supporting consumers, the public sector and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles, I will aim to provide a long-term strategic framework and pathway for the transition to electrification of the road transport fleet in Ireland in 2024.

I will also aim to increase the number and proportion of zero emission road vehicles in the national vehicle fleet, through a mix of grant incentives, taxation and behaviour change initiatives. Furthermore, I will seek to increase the provision of zero emission recharging points on the road network and at trip destination points, through a mix of grant incentives and direct funding.

Work to identify a specific strategic approach and pathway for the electrification of Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs), including pilots, vehicle and infrastructure supports, and working with HDV stakeholders is also planned.

Transport Investment & Public Transport Policy

Walking and Cycling

A high level of investment will continue to be provided for the construction of walking and cycling infrastructure around the country. This will include projects under Rounds 1 and 2 of the Safe Routes to School Programme, and Round 3 schools will be announced in 2024. The National Transport Authority’s CycleConnects plan will be published in early 2024, and 42,000 students will receive training under the CycleRight cycle training programme next year.

An implementation plan will be finalised in 2024 in relation to the implementation of Phases 1 and 2 (to the end of 2030) for the National Cycle Network. This network will represent the inter-urban cycling network around the country linking urban centres.

Public Transport Investment

I will continue to prioritise funding and roll-out of new public transport services in 2024.

Funding has been secured for the continued roll-out of new services in 2024 under the BusConnects and Connecting Ireland programmes, and for new town services. I will also continue to progress major public transport projects including MetroLink, BusConnects, DART+, and Cork Area Commuter Rail, subject to planning approval.

Work will continue in 2024 on the relocation of Plunkett Station in Waterford, which 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. Works will also continue on the upgrade of Ceannt and Oranmore Stations, both included in National Development Plan.

An All-Island Strategic Rail Review, conducted in partnership between my Department and the Department of Infrastructure, 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 was published for the purpose of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in July. The Strategic Environmental Assessment public consultation phase concluded on 29 September 2023 and received circa 470 submissions. The Department and the project team are currently reviewing these submissions in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure. It is hoped to complete this review process in Q4 2023 and complete the final report in 2024.

Railway Safety legislation

The Railway Safety (Amendment) Bill will reduce the statutory limits for concentration of alcohol in blood, urine and breath for a railway safety critical worker and update procedures for sampling and testing of workers for intoxicants (alcohol, drugs) and associated procedures under the Railway Safety Act 2005.

Integrated Land Transport Planning

In 2024, I will progress plans, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to extend the statutory transport planning remit of the National Transport Authority to the metropolitan areas of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford to strengthen the levels of integration between spatial planning and transport planning.

Public Transport Fares

As part of Budget 2024 measures, I secured funding for the continuation of the 20% average reduction on public transport Public Service Obligation fares, the 90-minute fare, and for the expansion of the Young Adult Card Scheme to include 24 and 25-year-olds.

Road Transport

National Roads

On the National Road network, €491 million in capital funding was allocated in 2023 for the protection and renewal of the existing network, along with the progression of a number of major new projects, such as the Dunkettle Interchange and Moycullen Bypass. Allocations for 2024 are in the process of being finalised but will prioritise road safety, the maintenance of the road network, and targeted investment in new projects.

Regional Roads

On the Regional and Local Road network in 2023, €626 million was invested into the network with approximately 90% directed for road maintenance and renewal and the balance for targeted road improvement schemes. The 2024 regional and local road grant allocations will be finalised following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume and will take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year.

Under the National Development Plan 2021-2030, investment of €70 million is planned for Regional and Local Road strategic and specific projects in 2024.

Road Haulage

Implementation of the Road Haulage Strategy will continue in 2024, including the establishment of eco-driving standards, organisation of the second annual National Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week and development of a proposal for the improvement of enforcement powers for the RSA in respect of commercial road transport offences.

Road Safety

The Road Traffic Measures Bill 2023, on which drafting is ongoing, will focus on increasing road safety for all through penalty point reform, implementation of key Speed Limit Review recommendations, and mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious road traffic collisions.

Maritime

Irish Coast Guard

My Department and I will oversee and implement a seamless and orderly transition to the new Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) Aviation Service contract, from the incumbent (CHCI) and the new contractor (Bristow Ireland Limited).

Marine Environment and ORE Development

I will complete domestic measures for the implementation of FuelEU Maritime.

Maritime Safety Policy

Work will continue towards publishing the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill, to progress the Bill through the Houses and to establish the Marine Accident Investigation Unit and dissolve the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. I will also progress the drafting of a General Scheme for the Merchant Shipping (International Conventions) Bill.

Maritime Transport

A review of the National Ports Policy will be conducted, through two phases of consultation. The submissions received in response to the consultation on the published Issues Paper will be followed by a shortened public consultation on the Draft Policy document. The objective is to present a new draft policy to the Government in Q1 2025, following a thorough and inclusive consultation.