Written answers

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Departmental Data

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering proposals regarding e-scooters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67214/25]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to inform the Deputy that, although the wearing of helmets is not a statutory requirement, it is strongly recommended by both the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Introducing a statutory obligation to wear helmets would mean creating a criminal offence under road traffic legislation for failing to do so. In such cases, an e-scooter user could be issued with a fixed charge notice or summoned to court, depending on the procedure in place. This would place a significant additional burden on the resources of both the Courts and An Garda Síochána.

On this basis, it is the view of my Department that the wearing of helmets, for e-scooters, is best promoted by educational and publicity campaigns rather than through punitive measures.

Unlike mechanically propelled vehicles, PPTs do not require registration, motor tax, motor insurance, or a driver’s licence. The objective of legislation on e-scooters is to support the uptake of micro-mobility vehicles while ensuring that requirements associated with mechanically propelled vehicles do not act as a disincentive.

The operation of the legislation, through enforcement, is, as for all road traffic law, under the remit of An Garda Síochána. My officials meet regularly with An Garda Siochana to discuss matters related to road traffic legislation. As with any legislation, I will consider feedback on its operation from An Garda Siochana and other stakeholders and I will act if it is clear that road safety improvements can be made.

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the review of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67217/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh 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 public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding required to provide additional services on a route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67230/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh 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 public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the prioritised list of bus routes with over-capacity issues (details supplied); the routes provided with additional capacity; the routes not provided with additional capacity, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67231/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh 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 public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, in this case, Dublin Bus.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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