Darragh O'Brien
Dublin Fingal East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The appropriate next time to do that is once the ANCA decision is finalised and the public consultation is concluded, which will be on 3 September. Obviously, there will be a period required after that when the submissions to ANCA will be looked at. That is where the consultation is. That will happen over the coming months.”
“I have already mentioned the more than 3 million passengers who flew through Cork Airport and the growth of Shannon Airport, which has just had its best half a year and which now has over 40 routes. However, a small number of people are impacted and they need to be listened to.”
“Others did not want it at all. I think Shane Ross was Minister for transport at the time. That has been done. That is in place. This decision will be made. I do not have a timeframe. Hopefully it will be soon after the submissions from the public on the draft noise decision is made. That would feed into both.”
“An Investec report published in, I believe, 2022 said that to maintain the cap at 32 million between now and 2030 would jeopardise up to about 19,000 jobs. That is the reality of it. I support the workers in the airport. I am from the community myself. The airport has to grow in a sustainable way.”
“I have also made it clear that even though, and this is a fact, international aviation emissions are outside the scope of the climate action plan, we are taking actions aligned with the global approach to decarbonisation of the aviation industry, which is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization's basket of measures to ensur…”
“I have already highlighted the planning decision on the DAA’s infrastructure application. We discussed that at some length over the course of the last nearly two hours. That application seeks to raise the passenger cap to 40 million and provide for much-needed additional infrastructure at Dublin Airport.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,432 lines we hold for Darragh O'Brien, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 20 of 29.
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a ardú, ach níl sé ceart faoi ar chor ar bith. He is not correct at all in his assertion. We have the largest ever national development plan, with €105 billion of investment between now and the end of the decade, and €245 billion-plus in total. Those are the facts. Now it is about delivery and we are seeing lots of our projects across the country coming through planning and starting to commence. I am sure the Deputy shares our commitment under the NDP and welcomes the investments we are making. Since assuming office, I have seen the impact of those investments, which are happening on a regional basis and in rural communities right across the Republic. I will give a couple of examples.”
“The Deputy can be assured I will keep him informed of progress. I met my officials on this matter as recently as this week. I will keep the House informed because I know people have genuine concerns in this regard.”
“Where complaints and allegations are made about the illegal transfer of either munitions, parts of munitions or dual goods, items that could be used for military use, that is taken very seriously. We have a process that is long-standing in Irish law. Our legislation is very clear in that regard, with domestic orders going all the way back to 1973 and reaffirmed in 1989. I take the allegations seriously. It is appropriate that those allegations are given due care and consideration in a structured and forensic way. That includes the legal advice that would be required. Should I as Minister determine, on the basis of the final report I receive and following legal advice, that we need to take further action, I think the Deputy would agree that has to stand up based on a proper process. That is what is happening now.”
“I take the Deputy's question and statement in the manner in which it has been raised. The allegations, though, that any arms or weapons are going from Ireland to Israel are just wholly incorrect. Irish law is clear. On the examination of the draft report, we have sought legal advice. There is extensive documentation. I do not want to hide any of that but I need to allow it to be assessed properly, particularly should further action be required. On behalf of myself, colleagues and others, I too want to express my solidarity with those engaged in the humanitarian flotilla. All of us in Ireland abhor what is happening in Gaza and the occupied territories.”
“My Department is still engaged in examining the allegations that a number of air operators have carried munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory without the required exemption permitting them to do so. The issues raised are complex and require the examination of extensive documentation. I understand the frustration that might arise due to the perceived delay in completing this work. It is not intentional - I take this very seriously - but the examination must be carried out to a standard that would support any further action should that action be deemed necessary.”
“From October 2023 to date, no applications for exemptions have been received and no exemptions have been granted for the carriage of munitions of war to any point in Israel. I will reiterate that to be very clear to the House. There have been no applications and no exemptions granted for any carriage of munitions of war to the State of Israel. I want to clarify that the exemptions I grant as Minister for Transport to civil air operators are not permission to carry munitions of war from one sovereign state to another. The exemptions grant the civil aircraft concerned permission to carry its specific cargo in Irish sovereign territory, such as for an overflight or a non-traffic stop carried out to facilitate refuelling, crew rest or change and other technical issues that might arise.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question on this important matter. As I have previously outlined to the House, the Chicago Convention of 1944 is the main international treaty governing the operation of international civil aviation. Article 35 of this convention provides that no civil aircraft may carry munitions of war in the sovereign territory of a state without that state’s permission. That pertains here in Ireland. This provision is implemented in Irish law in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders of 1973 and 1989. Under these orders, the carriage of munitions of war is prohibited on any civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory unless I, in my role as Minister for Transport, have granted an exemption that permits it.”
“Deputy Pa Daly made remarks earlier about the percentage of renewables within the grid. I disagree with the points he made, but that is for another day. I am sure we will debate that on another day. I welcome the broad support that has been given here for the Bill. I have taken on board the points that have been raised here and I will consider them. I look forward to getting to Committee Stage and working with colleagues in committee to advance this piece of legislation as quickly and efficiently as we can.”
“In particular where there are minor changes, we are creating work for ourselves with reviews or minor changes to existing licences. That is notwithstanding the points and contentions that Deputy Whitmore made about a specific case. I will not comment on it, but enforcement is critical and key for whatever legislation we have. I value our biodiversity. I also value the beautiful environment in which we live. I regret the continued degradation of our inland waterways and water courses. There are many reasons for it. We must reverse the trend on that. It is something I was acutely aware of in my previous Department. While we are doing many things well, we need to do other things better. The provision of renewables is one of the areas where we are advancing well.”
“I do not believe that this legislation will impact upon that but we have to watch this as it works through. Unquestionably the EPA will need further additional resources. It has been further resourced over recent years. I do not have a figure on that but, as Deputy Ahern is aware, it would not be written into the Bill either. We will have an opportunity to talk about them in more detail on Committee Stage. This legislation did go through the pre-legislative scrutiny process in June 2024 and a report was published on it in July 2024. We did have input on it from other stakeholders. It is about striking the balance between making sure we are competitive and that we have definitive timeframes because it is impossible for people to operate within a system that does not have a timeline or deadline.”
“I thank the Deputies for their contributions here this evening. They were all constructive. Deputy Whitmore raised specific issues and made suggestions, as did Deputies Ahern, Cronin and others. Charges were made about certain things but I will leave them for a more general debate. I welcome the broad support for the Bill. I assure Deputies that as we move to Committee Stage we will be seeking to improve the Bill. The regulations on the timeframe will be done by secondary legislation, which is the better thing to do in that they can be more flexible. We will not have to come back and amend the legislation. The same goes for resourcing. A couple of colleagues mentioned resources and asked questions about tighter timelines, which we badly need. We must balance that as well with public participation. I am acutely aware of that too.”
“I look forward to Members' contributions and welcome the opportunity to engage in a productive discussion this evening as we move this Bill through Second Stage. We will be open to suggestions from Members on Committee Stage as well.”
“The Bill is intended to streamline the EPA licensing legislation. It will ensure we continue to protect our environment but also provide more certainty around the timeframes of decisions on applications for EPA licences for the energy, food, pharma, chemicals, waste and other sectors and industrial sectors. It will provide more options for the agency to efficiently regulate lower-risk activities and to efficiently process minor changes to existing licences. It will remove barriers to competitiveness and investment in the infrastructure critical to our sustainable development and will help us to meet our environmental and climate goals. It will provide us with a legislative framework that ensures environmental protection while being proportionate with the flexibility to adapt to future demands.”
“Section 7A enables the Minister to designate a public body for the purpose of preparation of green public procurement guidance and criteria that may be applied by public bodies in respect of goods, services or works procured by such State bodies. Section 7B provides and requires public bodies to outline in an annual report each procurement of goods, services or works in the previous calendar year where relevant green public procurement criteria were not integrated into the procurement process and explain the reasons it was considered appropriate and proportionate not to include any of those green public procurement criteria in the procurement process. Section 25 amends section 8 of the 2022 Act to allow the Minister to pay income that may arise from extended producer responsibility schemes into the Circular Economy Fund.”
“These provisions mirror those at section 11. Section 22 proposes two new sections to the 1996 Act: section 46A, which allows the agency to review a part of a licence or revised licence but only where an EIA is not required; and section 46B, which enables the Minister to specify timeframes for proposed determination of decisions of the agency. These provisions are mirrored at section 12. Section 23 amends section 50 of the 1996 Act to allow the Minister to make regulations providing for the payment to the agency of fees in relation to a request for an exemption under the new section 44B, which is outlined at section 21 of this Bill and mirrors the provision at section 14. In Part 4, section 24 proposes two new sections to the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022.”
“Section 44A enables the Minister to make an order allowing a derogation for certain licence applications from the requirements of the EIA directive and the obligation to carry out an EIA. Section 44B allows an applicant to apply to the agency to grant an exemption in exceptional circumstances from the requirements of the EIA directive before making an application for a licence. Section 44C removes the obligation for the agency to issue a proposed determination in certain emergency circumstances where the Minister has made an order to that effect. Section 44D provides details of the information the agency shall consider for applications where an exemption is granted under the new section 44B. Section 44E outlines notification procedures for a licence application where an exemption under the new section 44B has been granted.”
“Section 18 amends section 42 of the 1996 Act to refer to the new section 42C. This is a consequential amendment to support the provision introduced under section 20 of the Bill. This provision mirrors the provision at section 9. Section 19 amends section 42B of the 1996 Act to enable the agency to expand its consultation, as it deems appropriate, to include planning authorities and other persons. This provision mirrors the provision at section 13. Section 20 proposes a new section, section 42C, of the 1996 Act to introduce an amended proposed determination procedure. This provision mirrors the provision at section 10. Section 21 proposes five new sections to the 1996 Act.”
“Section 15 amends section 7 of the Waste Management Act 1996 at subsection (3) to enable the Minister, by order, to make regulations prescribing matters in the emergency circumstances as set out under sections 44A and 44B without need for such regulations to be laid before the Oireachtas. The provision also removes a reference to section 72(12) from subsection (3) of section 7 as that section was repealed under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. Section 16 amends section 37 of the 1996 Act to insert additional definitions consequential to the provisions of this Bill. Section 17 amends section 40 of the Waste Management Act to allow exemption from the obligation on the agency to carry out an EIA in emergency circumstances. This provision mirrors the provision at section 7.”
“This new section includes the potential to prescribe a stop-the-clock provision to allow for requests for further information and a response from the applicant. Time periods will be specified in subsequent regulations. Section 13 amends section 96 of the 1992 Act to enable the agency to expand its consultation, as appropriate, to include planning authorities and other persons. Section 14 amends section 99A of the 1992 Act to allow the Minister to make regulations providing for the payment to the agency of fees in relation to a request for an exemption under the new section 88D, which is outlined at section 11 of this Bill.”
“Section 88F provides details of the information that the agency shall consider for applications where an exemption is granted under section 88D. This information will include the assessment as may be specified under section 88D(6)(a) and details of the documentation that the agency shall incorporate into its decision. Section 88G outlines notification procedures for a licence application where an exemption under section 88D has been granted. Section 12 proposes two new sections to the 1992 Act. Section 90A allows the agency to review a part of a licence or revised licence, but only where an EIA is not required and any change does not constitute a "substantial change", as defined within this provision. Section 90B enables the Minister to specify timeframes for proposed determination decisions of the agency.”
“The provision mirrors a similar enabling provision for development consent in civil emergencies under section 228 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. Section 88D allows an applicant to apply to the agency to grant an exemption from the requirements of the EIA directive before making an application for a licence. This exemption will apply in exceptional circumstances only. The provision obliges the agency to ensure that the objectives of the EIA directive will be achieved by other means. The provision mirrors a similar enabling provision for development consent in exceptional circumstances under section 227 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. Section 88E removes the obligation for the agency to issue a proposed determination in certain emergency circumstances where the Minister has made an order to that effect.”
“Section 9 amends section 87 of the 1992 Act to refer to a new section 87B and is a consequential amendment. Section 10 proposes a new section 87B to the 1992 Act to remove the obligation to issue proposed determinations in emergency situations where a derogation from an EIA has been granted either under planning legislation or under this Bill. Section 11 proposes five new sections to the 1992 Act, as follows. Section 88C enables the Minister to make an order allowing a derogation for certain licence applications from the requirements of the EIA directive and the obligation to carry out an EIA. This will apply only where a licence is required for an activity in the event of a civil emergency or for the defence of the State.”
“Section 6 amends section 82D of the 1992 Act to oblige the agency, when considering applications in emergency circumstances, to do so in a manner consistent with the objectives of section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to the extent that it is practicable, considering the emergency nature of the application. Section 7 amends section 83 of the 1992 Act to allow derogation from the obligation on the agency to carry out an environmental impact assessment, EIA, in line with derogations provided for under Articles 1(3) and 2(4) of the environmental impact assessment directive. Section 8 amends section 85 of the 1992 Act to ensure transboundary consultation where an activity is likely to have transboundary effects on another transboundary convention state outside of the European Union.”
“Section 1 contains standard provisions relating to the Short Title, construction and commencement of the Bill. Section 2 provides definitions for the purpose of this Bill. Section 3 repeals certain provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. These repeals are consequential amendments as a result of the provisions of this Bill. Part 2 concerns amendments to the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, including the amendment of section 3 of that Act. Section 4 amends section 3 of the 1992 Act to insert additional definitions consequential to the provisions of this Bill. Section 5 amends section 51 of the 1992 Act to oblige the agency to capture the number of licence decisions made within the new timeframes as may be prescribed. This provision also covers the Waste Management Act 1996.”
“The Bill further proposes some changes to the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 in relation to green public procurement and a provision to allow income that may arise from extended producer responsibility, EPR, schemes to be paid into the circular economy fund. The main objectives of the provisions on green public procurement are to put the preparation of national green public procurement guidance and criteria on a statutory footing; and to require reporting on the use of green public procurement criteria in order for public bodies to demonstrate transparency in implementing green public procurement policy in line with the “comply or explain” approach. I will now outline the provisions of the Bill, section by section, to clarify its content. The Bill comprises 25 sections in four Parts. I will begin with Part 1.”
“Indeed, the future is already here, and the direction of travel is set in terms of the EU legislation that requires environmental authorisation decisions to be made in definite and shorter timeframes, including under the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Net-Zero Industry Act. Through providing shorter and predictable timeframes for decisions, the Bill aims to improve our competitiveness and remove barriers to investment in infrastructure, and its provisions align with the Government’s action plan on competitiveness and productivity. The Bill also seeks to facilitate the timely development of critical infrastructure in the energy sector, which will facilitate the transition to renewables and reduce the potential need for emergency generation, as well as the delivery of the national biomethane strategy.”
“In line with the general scheme, the Bill proposes that the agency may carry out partial reviews of a licence in limited circumstances only where, in accordance with Part IV of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 or Part V of the Waste Management Act 1996, the agency determines that an environmental impact assessment is not required and that the activity does not constitute a substantial change as defined in the industrial emissions directive. Setting out the detail in regulations allows the flexibility to amend timelines, including shortening them, to meet current and future demands.”
“It is my intention that such regulations will set out a timeframe of no longer than one year after planning is settled for the agency to examine an application and make its proposed determination, which, if no objections are received, becomes the final decision on that licence. I intend a shorter timeline where the planning and licence applications are lodged simultaneously and for limited licence reviews.”
“Improving the legislation in these areas will incentivise investment and allow for more efficient delivery of infrastructure, including the infrastructure necessary to meet many of our climate objectives and deliver the transition to a circular and more resource-efficient economy. The Bill aims to stimulate sustainable development and sustainable economic activity within a licensing system that is designed to protect our environment. This includes the deployment of improved emissions abatement and other progressive environmental protection technologies which require amendments to existing licences. The Bill will do this by providing powers for regulations to be developed which will set timelines for proposed determinations on EPA industrial and waste licence applications.”
“This Bill addresses four problematic issues identified with the current legislation governing licences: there is no definite timeframe within which decisions on licence applications are made; it is taking too long - in some instances, two years or more - for decisions to be made; even minor proposed changes to an installation require a full licence review meaning that the full licence is examined; and the civil emergency and exceptional circumstances provisions of the environmental impact assessment directive have not yet been transposed into national law to allow the agency to avail of those provisions in future emergency circumstances.”
“We will get a copy of it. Apologies, we will circulate that. Tá brón orm faoi sin. Before changes that affect emissions from an existing installation can be made, the operator is required to amend or review the existing EPA licence. This is an important system overall which protects our natural environment and human health. While strong licensing procedures are critical to protect our environment, the legislation should be proportionate and support decisions being made in an efficient manner, within predictable timeframes. To operate otherwise hampers investment in infrastructure and presents a disproportionate burden on all licensees. In engaging with industry and those operating under these licences, it has become apparent that there are a number of issues identified with the current legislation.”
“Installations carrying out these activities are required to have an EPA licence - an industrial emissions, integrated pollution control or waste licence - in place before they can operate.”
“I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, plays a pivotal role in protecting, improving and restoring our environment through regulation, scientific knowledge and working with others. As part of this role, there are approximately 900 EPA licences in operation in Ireland which regulate large industrial installations in sectors such as waste, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, intensive agriculture, energy, food and drink production and cement production. Such installations are licensed under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and the Waste Management Act 1996.”
“We also expect very shortly a decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála on MetroLink, which will be the most significant national project to be delivered in decades, servicing the north County Dublin area right the way through the airport and into the city. We expect that decision to be made in the coming weeks. I look forward to the contributions from Senators. I thank them for tabling this item of business and I look forward to the engagement today.”
“We saw last year record passenger numbers and public transport journeys of about 330 million, and we want to build on that further. We are seeing an expansion of the public transport offering, particularly in rural Ireland. We know we need to do a lot more there. BusConnects will be critical with regard to our cities, and all 12 of those schemes are now through planning, five of them unencumbered. Seven of them are held up by way of judicial review, and infrastructural projects continue to be held up because of objections. I ask those people who look to object or who do object to those projects, some for very valid reasons, to look at the bigger picture, the wider picture. Yes, there will be disruption from time to time.”
“As part of the capacity, punctuality and reliability plan, Bus Éireann has reviewed in excess of 200 routes since January of this year to improve the punctuality and reliability performance on all routes and will continue to monitor service delivery levels across our bus network. The Bus Éireann Limerick fleet transitioned to full electrification operation of the city network from 27 April this year, including full electrification of the city fleet and the depot. I thank Senators for this opportunity to speak about the public transport system and the aviation system. We are in the midst of fundamental change in our public transport system that will give people right across the country so much more freedom and opportunity for their education, their work and even their free time.”
“We are also working with the European Investment Bank and other stakeholders in considering how best to sequence and implement the recommendations of the rail review, with a view to optimising their development for passengers and wider society. This work with the EIB has included the preparation of a project prioritisation strategy. That strategy has been broadly agreed by the project steering team and will be published later this year. As regards the regional bus network, we are strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. Under the Connecting Ireland programme, 240 towns and villages have been connected to the wider public transport network since 2022.”
“The reinstatement of this line has the potential to support both rail passenger and rail freight services, allowing a direct route for freight services from Ballina and Westport to ports on the south coast that avoid the more congested part of the rail network. This route would also reconnect Tuam to the railway and enable direct passenger services between Galway and Mayo, thereby supporting regional development in the area. The Department of Transport is working with a range of stakeholders to bring forward the rail review's recommendations for further analysis and progression. In this context, my Department is supporting Iarnród Éireann's ongoing assessment of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, and I expect to receive a report on the matter this year.”
“It is not growing one airport at the expense of another; we have to continue to support Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock and Cork. With regard to rail, my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in the North led the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July of last year. It is a ground-breaking report and sets out a strategic vision for the development of the rail system right across the island of Ireland. I am pleased to say that included among those 32 recommendations is the reinstatement of the western rail corridor between Claremorris and Athenry.”
“Colleagues will be aware of the programme for Government commitment with regard to the removal of the cap at Dublin Airport. That cap is stayed right now due to the ECJ case. We have invested heavily in Dublin. I remember back to 2008, when the second terminal in Dublin Airport was built. I attended that opening. There were many critics, both at political level and across society, who said the second terminal would be a white elephant and would not be used and that we would not be able to receive additional business in through it. We see now that Dublin Airport will need to continue to grow to facilitate passenger numbers. With the second runway now not fully operational but built, it gives the ability for Dublin to grow to 60 million passengers a year. This year we expect those passenger numbers to be more than 36 million.”
“This is an important opportunity to restate the Government's position on aviation. The aviation sector is critical for this country. We punch way above our weight as a small island nation, not just within the European Union but worldwide as well. Dublin is the fifth-best connected airport in Europe and operates as a transport hub. We can grow numbers at all our airports and we should do that. We are seeing Cork Airport grow substantially, with a €200 million investment announced for it. Dublin Airport is growing as well, and I expect very shortly a decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála with regard to the night flights. That is a very important decision that we await with anticipation. That will clear one of the two blockages that are there.”
“I am aware there have been calls for the Government to seek to redirect traffic from Dublin Airport to the possible benefit of other airports. Traffic distribution rules are governed by European regulations and, under those regulations, following consultation with interested parties, including air carriers and airports, member states may look to adopt such rules between airports that meet specific conditions. Several member states have adopted such rules where they have cities or conurbations served by multiple airports, for example Amsterdam, Milan and Paris. However, our airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon would not meet the conditions to distribute traffic in accordance with this EU regulation. Therefore, the operation of air services to, from and between these airports remains a commercial decision for airlines in Ireland.”
“Our national aviation policy commits to optimising the operation of the Irish airport network to maximise Ireland's connectivity to the rest of the world. The connectivity of our network is essential for our continued economic development, for attracting and sustaining foreign direct investment, and for facilitating tourism while also keeping us connected with our friends and family abroad. I am pleased to share with the House that Shannon Airport is on a strong growth trajectory, with passenger figures from January to June showing a 7% increase on the same period last year. This builds on the growth of passengers in 2024, with passenger numbers recorded at about 2.1 million. This represented a 7% increase on the previous year and was the first time in 15 years that over 2 million passengers were reached at that airport.”
“It is a significant milestone that we can see BusConnects and the core bus corridors going into construction. BusConnects is already providing improved sustainable services to commuters in Dublin through the roll-out of redesigned routes and electric buses. The preliminary business case for BusConnects Cork is with my Department and under review. As a significant project, I expect to bring it this autumn to the major projects advisory group at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and then to the Cabinet for approval. In addition, the redesigned bus networks for Galway and Limerick were finalised in December 2023 and for Waterford in January of this year. I expect to see them rolled out in the coming years as resources allow.”
“This Government is progressing a number of major projects that will significantly improve Ireland's public transport system, including BusConnects in all of our cities. BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better services for our citizens and removing barriers to work, education and leisure across our cities. In Dublin, the main infrastructural element comprises the core bus corridor schemes. These corridors will provide over 200 kilometres of enhanced bus and cycling infrastructure in our capital city. I am pleased to say that An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved all 12 core bus corridor applications in Dublin. Construction on the first of these core bus corridors, which runs between Liffey Valley and Dublin city centre, is set to start later this year.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh agus a Sheanadóirí. I thank Senators for the opportunity to engage with them on the topics of public transport and aviation. I am looking forward to their perspectives and input. I am confident that we all agree it is essential that the Government continue to invest in our public transport services and network and that we are supportive of the Government's commitment to delivering an accessible, affordable and reliable public transport network throughout the country. I also look forward to discussing aviation and the strategic importance that the Government places on all of our airports, including our regional airports, particularly Shannon as regards the mid-west region and nationally.”
“The Deputy may take from the fact that we have done a lot of the preparatory work on design and preparation for the schemes in Castlemore and Kilcondy that we want to see them proceed to the next stage. That will be the logical step going forward into 2026. We will make sure that happens. The Ministers of State, Deputies Canney and Buttimer, and I have increased our roads funding this year by about €92 million. We received that draft funding package quite late because the Government had only come in, yet we were able to effect an increase. We will have a more significant increase in our roads programme next year. Government colleagues' interventions, including the Deputy's, regarding what is important in their own areas will be taken in the round because they are the people elected by their constituents.”
“I know the volume of traffic on the N22 is high and increasing. The paving is poor. The Deputy mentioned potholes. Following his intervention through this parliamentary question, I will make direct contact to see what remedial works can be done in the interim. I cannot say if funding will be reallocated later this year. We have just recently allocated the 2025 funding but I will ask. Good work is being done on other parts of the N22 but I want to make sure this section is not forgotten about. I will contact TII in this regard, particularly to see what can be done with the local authority in the interim this year. The fixed camera is working to reduce speed in that area. I do not know if a specific submission was received from the local authority, but I will find out for him and take this matter up with TII.”
“This should allow the pace of road pavement renewal to be stepped up, including the section east of Macroom to Ballincollig. What I am basically saying is that I am aware of the really poor state of this section of road. The Deputy has mentioned it and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, mentioned it to me again this evening. I am glad Deputy Moynihan asked this question. We need to be more active with our agencies in making sure, as I said to a previous Deputy, that the feedback from public representatives on behalf of their constituents is actually listened to. This section of road needs to be attended to. We will have an increased roads programme for next year and we will try to secure additional funding to make sure this section of road is attended to.”
“As part of the current NDP, the N22 road between Cork and Kerry has seen significant development in recent years, not least with the completion of the Baile Bhuirne to Macroom project. In conjunction with the N22 Farranfore to Killarney project, which is being developed, this will deliver greatly improved connectivity between Cork and Kerry. In regard to the section between Macroom and Ballincollig, while it has not been possible so far to allocate funding for pavement works this year, funding has been provided for road safety schemes at Castlemore and Kilcondy. In addition, funding has been provided for a fixed safety camera pilot on the route. With regard to future investment, the programme for Government commits to increasing funding for protection and renewal.”