Written answers
Monday, 8 September 2025
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Public Transport
Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context
237. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of antisocial behaviour incidents reported on public transport services in Dublin Bay North in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47465/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.
The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context
238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated completion date for the LUAS Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44433/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
The Luas Finglas project is part of four proposed Luas network extensions identified in the NTA statutory Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042. The development of a Luas green line extension to serve Finglas is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals, scheduled for delivery within the 2031-2036 timeframe.
In October 2024, the Government consented to approval in principle for the Luas Finglas project at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), as the Sponsoring Agency, lodged a Railway Order (planning) application for the project with An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) in November 2024. We are currently awaiting a decision from ACP on that Railway Order application.
The Department of Transport's annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030, and the Government's overall capital expenditure ceilings to 2035, were confirmed in the recently published National Development Plan Review 2025. My Department is reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope and a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment will be made in the coming months.
Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context
239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to link the LUAS Finglas project with Ballymun and Santry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44434/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
The NTA published the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 in January 2023. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.
The Luas Finglas project is part of four proposed Luas network extensions identified in the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042. It is not currently planned to extend the Luas Green Line to Santry or Ballymun. The NTA are required to review its transport strategy every six years under Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.
The Luas Finglas extension of the Luas Green Line will complement the BusConnects Dublin and DART+ programmes, and the MetroLink project will also improve multimodal connectivity in the GDA. Light rail stops at Charlestown and St, Margaret's Road, planned as part of the Luas Finglas, will be connected to Ballymun and Santry by bus. Ballymun will also be served by Metrolink, the fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office, if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
No comments