Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will introduce a financial support scheme to assist commercial bus operators with the costs of upgrading their tachograph systems to comply with EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44457/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The EU 'Mobility Package I' introduced a new set of rules for the road transport sector and is applicable across the EU. The package ensures good implementation and enforcement of EU road transport legislation and provides a balance between the social protection of drivers and the freedom of operators to provide cross-border transport services.

As part of the 'Mobility Package I', smart tachographs version 2 must be retrofitted to commercial vehicles, including buses, operating internationally within the EU from 31 December 2024 onwards. Full details of the categories of vehicles to which the 'Mobility Package I' applies is available through the RSA website. This includes detail on deadlines by which upgrades must be completed and the requirements surrounding international transport.

I acknowledge there are costs involved with upgrading tachographs, but this is a necessary once-off investment for commercial bus operators to comply with their legal obligations as set out in the EU Mobility Package I. The cost entailed by the retrofit is a commercial matter for each commercial operator and is determined by a number of factors, including the age, make, and model of the vehicles to be updated. I do not intend to introduce financial supports for tachograph upgrades required under Mobility Package I.