Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be made available to local authorities to address damage to local and regional roads caused by extreme weather events; the total level of such funding over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67114/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads. The Department of Transport also emphasises to local authorities the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage unforeseen events such as severe flooding.

As outlined in the 2025 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 14th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.

In line with established practice, local authorities are advised by my Department that a contingency provision should be reserved from the overall resources available to each authority for regional and local roads so as to deal with damage caused by severe weather conditions.

In addition, local authorities may carry out repairs from the regional and local road grants available to them and from their own resources and in this context, it is open to each Council to determine and reprioritise its work programme following severe weather events.

As part of the 2023–24 European windstorm season, Ireland experienced several severe weather events, most noticeably Storm Babet, causing considerable damage to the regional and local road network. The Department continues to engage with local authorities, and in 2025 €10 million has been allocated for severe weather repairs.

As regards the funding allocated to and drawn down by local authorities for severe weather repairs over the past five years, details of the regional and local road allocations, and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has examined the interaction between road surface condition, speed limits and road safety on local and regional roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67115/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

My Department provides specific funding for safety improvement projects on regional and local roads. Applications for funding under this scheme are invited on an annual basis for consideration for funding in the subsequent year.

Under the safety improvement scheme, each Council are requested to submit applications in order of priority. As Councils are responsible for maintaining and improving their regional and local roads, it is their responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources.

The Department commissioned Regional Road Network Safety Analysis across the regional and local road network. These identified Locations of Interest (LOIs) across the sector which notified local authorities of locations that may be suitable for safety improvement works following engineering analysis and collision trends. The overall prioritisation of interventions on the network is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is supporting any pilot projects or innovation in the area of road maintenance and resurfacing for local authorities, including use of new materials or technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67116/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.

My Department funds pilot projects across the local authority sector in relation to recycled asphalt products, bio binders and roads over peat. These projects inform this innovation and possible incorporation into future standards to allow for the reduction of carbon in road maintenance.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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258. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide details of the concerns raised by the haulage sector that proposed limits on the movement of abnormally heavy loads which may restrict the transport of essential electricity infrastructure including large transformers and wind turbine components; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67169/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions his Department is taking to ensure that proposed transport limits do not delay the delivery of critical electricity infrastructure required for national energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67171/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.

In accordance with the provisions of S.I. No. 5/2003 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003, each individual Local Authority (LA) has responsibility for the issuing of Abnormal Load Permits in their administrative area. S.I. No. 5/2003 sets the maximum authorised weights and dimensions for mechanically propelled vehicles and trailers on public roads, anything above these weights and dimensions requires and Abnormal Load Permit. There are no proposed changes to these limits and restrictions are based on a particular road networks ability to safely accommodate any proposed individual abnormal load in terms of weight (bridges, culverts, embankments, and road bearing capacity), height (bridge underpasses, tunnels, etc), and width (road width, bridge width, turning requirements at junctions).

Traditionally, Abnormal Load Applications to Local Authorities in Ireland were for loads below 180 tonnes, and usually below 150 tonnes. In recent years, energy sector requirements mean requests for the movement of exceptionally heavy abnormal loads have increased significantly and are expected to continue. Numerous loads programmed to be moved over the coming years are far in excess of 180 tonnes, with some large generators identified by the energy sector as up to 570 tonnes.

This puts significant pressure on Ireland’s road and bridge infrastructure. Modern bridge structures have been designed to accommodate loading of 180 tonnes; numerous ‘legacy’ bridges have a design loading significantly lower than 180 tonnes. Consequently, additional structural assessment requirements apply to heavy loads and particularly loads over 180 tonnes to help protect road assets and the safety of road users. Exceptional Abnormal Loads can cause significant damage and deterioration to pavements, bridges and bridge components along the Irish road network. The presence of these vehicles and loads will increase over time and pose a significant risk to the road transport network, in particular where overloading and potential damage can be caused to bridge structures and other pieces of infrastructure such as water mains, and gas mains.

It is important that developers and promoters engage and consult with road stakeholders at the earliest possible stage to consider transport options of these exceptional loads to avoid unnecessary delay and risk to projects. This is to give sufficient time to consider appropriate safe route options and undertake the necessary assessments.

Department of Transport Circular RW18/2024 was issued to clarify the assessment process, which is needed both to protect state infrastructure and to assist applicants in the management of exceptionally heavy abnormal loads. The circular sets out the process for compliance with structural assessment standards and provides applicants with additional clarity. The Department of Transport keeps all circulars under review and issues notifications where updates or clarifications are required.

Both energy and road stakeholders have identified the need for a local authority central support unit to assist with the movement of exceptional abnormal loads nationally. This would include the assessment and delivery of exceptional abnormal loads with adequate dedicated expert technical resources in place to manage the process over the coming years. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is currently considering resource and funding requirements for this Local Authority Central Support Unit.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the introduction of an e-bike rental scheme for Galway City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67183/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to sustainable mobility, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in support of Transport for Ireland (TfI) public bike-sharing schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.

Details related to the operation of these schemes are a matter for the NTA. Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with airlines in relation to the sharp increases in flight prices coinciding with major events such as football matches, music concerts, and other large-scale gatherings; and the measures his Department is taking to protect consumers from excessive or opportunistic pricing during such periods. [67207/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Under European Union Regulation 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, airlines have full pricing freedom in relation to setting air fares for intra-Community air services and other related services such as baggage.

The Regulation requires that air fares be transparent i.e. that passengers booking a flight must be aware of the final price of a flight including any supplemental elements selected by the passenger, at all times during the booking process.

Within this framework airlines regularly take into account various operational realities in setting these fares and charges over time, for example flights at peak times or with short advance bookings may attract higher prices which is an industry norm.