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.”
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“The forthcoming transposition of the electricity market design directive by my Department will also provide further consumer protection measures and monitoring of energy supplier hedging practices. Intensive work is under way on the preparation of the energy affordability action plan, which we discussed last week and which will examine cost drivers in the energy sector and identify measures to enhance affordability of energy for households and for businesses. Deputies will be aware that we have brought in targeted measures in what is an international crisis in order to support 470,000 households. Those measures included extending the fuel allowance to those on the working family payment scheme. This is a direct payment to households.”
“The next phase of the work involves an assessment of what is adequate or in need of change, including whether a stronger mandate for the CRU is required. I believe that it is, and that will come out of this process. In light of this, any changes to CRU's mandate right now would be premature. However, I acknowledge the manner in which this has been put forward. The Government is putting in place additional measures to ensure a well-functioning energy market and to support energy affordability. Additional staffing resources have been sanctioned and have been allocated to CRU. That is to ensure that the latter can fully and effectively fulfil its remit.”
“I am speaking on behalf of the Government on the Bill. I thank Deputy Daly for tabling it. I will speak to the legislation and explain the rationale as to why we are opposing it, which we are doing on the basis that the CRU already holds significant existing powers to monitor, report and regulate gas and electricity suppliers. Additionally, as the Deputies will be aware, a review of the comprehensive suite of legislation underpinning the work of the CRU has already been commenced by Government. This is in line with our programme for Government commitment to prioritise a review and reform of the legislation underpinning the CRU and to emphasise that low costs for households and businesses are a central tenet in the updated mandate of the CRU. A review of the legislation underpinning the commission has been completed.”
“One must take this scheme in the context of the other measures it is coupled with, such as the significant excise duty reductions, the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, levy pause and the increase in the diesel rebate scheme, which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and runs until the end of July. By any fair assessment, and to be fair to the sector, this had been broadly welcomed. This is a robust and significant support package for a sector that needs and deserves our support because it is critical to our economy and supply chain.”
“That business would receive a payment of €16,230. In that instance, the operator will receive €1,350 for each of their first five vehicles and €790 for each of their next 12 vehicles. I will shortly hand over to the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, who will provide more detail on some of measures. Before I do that, however, I wish to reassure the House that the support package has been carefully considered following ongoing engagement that the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, officials and I have had with representatives of the haulage and passenger services.”
“Some passenger operators provide services under Local Link or school transport services as well as on a commercial basis. Officials are working with the NTA and the Department of education to ensure that these providers are fairly supported, either through contractual arrangements or under this scheme. The RTSS will follow the same structure as the previous licensed haulage support scheme. I will go through the amounts. Adjustments have been made to reflect inflation. A total of €1,350 is being given per vehicle for the first five vehicles. An additional €790 per vehicle will be given for the sixth to 20th vehicles, while an extra €300 will be allocated per vehicle for operators with 21-plus vehicles. Based on the Department of Transport’s data, the average licensed haulier has 17 vehicles on their operator's licence.”
“In all cases, only vehicles registered on the Department’s National Vehicle and Driver File database with motor tax paid and a valid commercial vehicle road worthiness test, CVRT, certificate will be eligible for support under the scheme. All applicants will be required to be registered for tax in this State, have a valid tax clearance certificate and be able to demonstrate that their business is an ongoing concern. Declarations and proof will be sought from all applicants and will be verified by the Department. For licensed road hauliers, supports will be provided for all vehicles of over 3,500 kg listed on their licences as of 1 March. Licensed passenger operators will be eligible only for vehicles listed on their passenger operator licences.”
“Payments will be made to applicants once they can satisfy the necessary criteria. Full details on eligibility criteria and the application process will be made available as soon as possible. We expect that to be within the next week but I will highlight some of the minimum requirements today. As payments will be backdated to 1 March all applicants must meet the following conditions as of that date. They must be a holder of a road haulage operator licence issued by the Department of Transport, or where the applicant is not normally required to hold a road haulage operator licence be an operator whose normal commercial activity relates to the carriage of goods by roads, or be the holder of a passenger operator licence issued by the Department of Transport.”
“I assure the House and the sector that the scheme has been designed to support the overall road transport sector to the very widest possible extent. Having said that, a key design consideration of this scheme is the need to avoid over compensation for operators with mixed business models who could otherwise seek support under the fuel support scheme being established by colleagues in the Department of agriculture. A number of key eligibility criteria will apply and it is important to note that eligibility does not mean an entitlement to funding. I would expect that this scheme can support up to about 48,000 operators, which is up from 25,000 in the previous scheme. Each application will be assessed by officials within the Department of Transport against a common set of requirements.”
“We estimate it will take a number of weeks to complete the development of the system itself. Again, we have engaged with the sector on that and it is content with that. This will allow an efficient payment system through an online portal application, which will be a simple application with certain criteria set out around tax compliance and various things like that which are important. Engagement with the European Commission on state-aid rules is ongoing in parallel with the system development. The Department is working towards opening the scheme for applications in the next couple of weeks with payments made as quickly as possible thereafter. I am sure Deputies will agree there has been some concern that supports will only be provided to licensed hauliers or to hauliers who are members of recognised representative bodies.”
“The scheme will remain in place for three months and payments will be made for April and May if the national average price of diesel exceeds €1.90 per litre in any given month. The RTSS will also offer support for operators of ferry services to and from our island communities that do not hold a government contract that includes a fuel price variation clause. My Department is liaising with the Department of the Gaeltacht and rural affairs on how to administer this support. The combined cost of these supports for the transport sector is estimated at €40 million per month. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport and I will administer the scheme. Officials have already begun to develop an electronic application and processing system to facilitate payments under the scheme.”
“The scheme reflects the immediate need for financial support and the ongoing commitment of the Government to work with the sector to maintain Ireland's essential trade and strategic supply chains. I commend the representatives of the haulage sector, the coach and the bus operators on the really constructive way in which they engaged with the Government right the way through the course of this year, and they continue to do so, representing their members exceptionally well. The RTSS will provide direct payments to haulage and coach operators. Payments will be graduated with smaller businesses receiving a proportionately greater level of support. An initial payment backdated from March 2026 will be made to each qualifying haulage or coach operator.”
“Supports will also be provided to operators of the TFI Local Link services under contract with the National Transport Authority, and school transport services through the Department of Education and Youth. Passenger service operators that do not fall under the scope of the supports provided by the NTA or Department of Education and Youth may be eligible for support under this scheme. Applications for support will be considered on a case-by-case basis, which is necessary given the complexity of most passenger service providers' business models where the same operator may provide services under Local Link services, school transport services, and indeed on a commercial basis. The scheme is directed primarily at the road transport sector given its importance to the wider supply chain and to businesses and communities throughout the country.”
“This is proportionately the largest package of supports provided by any EU member state. I am pleased to inform the House that the details of the scheme to support the haulage and coach sector have been agreed by Government. I can now provide a detail of its design and implementation. The road transporters' support scheme, RTSS, will be modelled on the licensed hauliers support schemes of 2022 and 2023. They were deployed at the time to assist the sector given the higher fuel prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I can confirm that the RTSS will go further than the previous schemes and will be open to both licensed road haulage operators and own-account sector operators, as well as licensed road passenger operators subject to certain criteria.”
“The European Commission has stated that it is essential to contain freight transport costs to limit wider inflationary pressures. This Government has acted quickly and decisively to support our hauliers and public transport providers. On 24 March, the Government allocated €250 million in targeted supports to assist those experiencing real and immediate financial pressure including reductions in excise rates for fuels and increased repayment rates for eligible recipients of the diesel rebate scheme. On 12 April the Government agreed a new additional package of measures to further reduce excise rates on fuel and it announced additional supports for the transport sector and the farming and fisheries industries at an estimated cost of €505 million. In total, this is a package of over €755 million.”
“The commercial bus and coach sector is a pillar of Ireland's public transport and tourism sector ensuring urban and rural connectivity and underpinning public and school transport networks. Both sectors have been significantly impacted by a multitude of crises in recent years, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the temporary closure of Holyhead Port. These critical transport sectors have demonstrated remarkable resilience and a willingness to collaborate with policymakers to overcome challenges. Recent cost pressures borne out of the conflict in Iran represent a threat not just to the transport sector but indeed to our whole economy. Higher prices for hauliers lead to secondary price rises across all sectors they supply and feed into higher prices across our economy.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I will be sharing my time with the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the road transporters' support scheme, RTSS. I will provide more detail on the scheme and who the scheme will support . The road haulage sector is of national strategic importance in bringing essential supplies into and around the State, supporting key infrastructure and enabling the maintenance of all economic and social activity in our country. Employment in the logistics and supply chain sector is expanding with over 246,000 people working across diverse logistics and supply chain roles, including nearly 60,000 in the transport sector, according to the 2022 census data.”
“Both of those contracts are signed and both will be in construction this year. We are in the delivery phase. The Deputy is right that there are deficits. I am not painting the picture that everything is perfect - it is not. We have a growing population. We have growing housing and had good news on housing again this morning - a 33% increase in housing completions in quarter 1 of this year. That is the type of sustainable progress we will continue to make across housing, transport and education.”
“We actually are. We are expanding services across the country. The numbers bear that out. To answer the Deputy's question directly, to be fair to my predecessor, he had bought additional electric buses because the capital was there. They were purchased forward. They were not all going to go into use over the course of a month or two. It has gone on longer than it should. We are looking at about 10% of our fleet in Dublin being electrified. That is a good thing. Limerick and Athlone are fully electrified. We are investing €1 in every €4 in this NPD between now and 2030 in the transport sector. It is just short of €25 billion to deliver projects like MetroLink, BusConnects and the quality bus corridors, which we are starting. I mention Ballymun-Finglas to the city and the Liffey Valley to city.”
“This is a matter that I inherited that we are dealing with. Bus Átha Cliath and its drivers have been really good in that regard. A lot of people are getting used to the use of those EV buses. We will continue to roll them out. There were issues. Those issues are being worked on and addressed. The remainder of those buses will be rolled out over the course of these few months. They are being rolled at a rate of two per week.”
“There are more people using public transport than ever. There were 365 million public transport journeys last year. That is a 6% increase. Our fare structure is affordable. We have many free fares across the system, which we will continue to maintain. On the other issue in relation to the electrification of our fleet, Limerick and Athlone are fully electrified. There were additional buses purchased in the previous Government term which are still being deployed at the rate of two a week. All the additional electric buses will be deployed across Dublin by this year and the remainder of them in quarter 1 of next year. There are two a week going into service now. I visited Broadstone to see that. It is not about grid capacity, although it was. There were issues with charging infrastructure. The Deputy is correct. I have addressed that.”
“To further support the sector, we approved a range of measures to mitigate rising fuel costs, including the transport sector through the road transport support scheme. That will support bus and coach operators providing TFI Local Link services and school transport. If we look at our charging structure in Ireland for public transport, it compares very favourably with our European counterparts. We have broadened free services with children up to the age of nine getting free travel, the senior free travel and the companion pass, which is being rolled out. We keep the fare structure and the fares under constant monitoring. We review it on a regular basis.”
“At the same time, it is important that any such measures are carefully considered and aligned with available resources, so that they are effective, sustainable and can deliver real benefits. The immediate priority has been to protect existing services and ensure continuity across the network within the resources allocated in the PSO programme. In the PSO, we secured an unprecedented allocation of €940 million. That was a 43% uplift on the previous budget. I want to get us to a sustainable footing in relation to the funding of public transport services. Where it previously had been, where additional routes were added and at the end of every year a supplementary budget was sought for transport, is not the way to plan things. It is not the way to plan things going forward.”
“I thank the Deputy. As Minister for Transport, I fully recognise the pressure that people and businesses are under due to rising fuel costs. Public transport has a particularly important role to play at times like this by providing a more affordable and sustainable alternative for many people. We are seeing public transport usage increase year-on-year. Last year, we saw a record 365 million public transport journeys. In that context, I am keeping under close review how the public transport system is equipped to respond to current pressures. My Department and the NTA remain in close contact with operators to monitor demand and operational impacts as the situation evolves.”
“Bord na Móna is generating over 1 GW of renewable energy. It was a fossil-based peat company that has transitioned fully to green energy. In its pipeline of development and planning, it has over 5 GW of further renewable sources. On the offshore renewables, we need to get them into construction this decade. Regarding the horizon, the outlook is positive. I agree with the Deputy that we need to accelerate it. I will write to the transport committee post my meeting with Professor Caulfield.”
“That is a good idea. I am happy to do that. In relation to renewables and the acceleration of renewables, we need to continue to reduce our dependence on fossil and imported fossil. That is good for climate, our economy and people's pockets. The good news is that we have doubled our wind capacity in a ten-year period. We now have over 8 GW of renewable energy connected to our system. We have about 1.4 GW of solar on rooftops. Solar is growing at a significant rate. In March of this year, 50% of our electricity was generated by renewables. We need to accelerate that further. We are doing that. We are doing that through measures like the Planning and Development Act. Earlier this week I visited Bord na Móna's Derrinlough wind farm, which is one of the largest wind farms in the country.”
“That work has commenced across those projects and it will be the most critical grid upgrade that has been done since electrification in this country. Projects like the north-south interconnector are encompassing it. That is critically important for grid resilience across the island of Ireland.”
“That is a very good question. That is why PR6, the capital investment programme into our grid infrastructure between now and 2030 is so critically important. We will be investing up to €18.9 billion in our grid. It is needed to improve grid resilience, grid capacity and distribution. That will be about adding more renewables to our grid too and storage to be able to deal with curtailment issues too but capacity issues in certain parts of the grid. The capital scheme encompasses about 520 projects right the way across the country. This will give that improvement our grid needs to be able to expand further, allow more people, businesses and homes to access the grid, and to facilitate further EV charging.”
“We are going very well on the EV roll-out, and we have seen a really substantial jump in quarter 1 of this year. We have close to 240,000 EVs now on our roads and we are seeing that increase. I want to be able to deploy more EVs and ensure that people, particularly in rural areas, are assessing them. The data we have from last year shows that there is a good regional split. The need to focus on this has been raised by many Deputies and, indeed, Sinn Féin's transport spokesperson, and we will. I intend to meet Professor Caulfield in the coming weeks to discuss his research.”
“Rural motorists are often in an advantageous position to make the switch to an electric vehicle, due to the large number of dwellings in rural Ireland which are suitable for home EV charging. Home charging is the primary charging method that most Irish EV owners use as it is convenient and cheaper for the consumer, as well as assisting in the overall management of the grid. According to data provided by TII and the charging point operators, over 3,200 publicly accessible charge points are now available nationwide. We are finalising a data strategy in line with the programme for Government commitment, which will enhance the Department’s ability to monitor infrastructure roll-out, capacity and usage, so we can more accurately assess that data with the ultimate objective of delivering on EU requirements.”
“I talk to myself every day. It is good having two Departments because you can ask permission from the other Minister. There are good synergies between both though, to be fair. It is a good question. As Minister for transport and for climate, energy and the environment, I am aware of the report in question. I thank Deputies Cronin and Daly for bringing it to my attention. I have also reached out to Professor Brian Caulfield to arrange a meeting to discuss his research. It is very timely. We are firmly committed to achieving a low-carbon economy by 2050. The transport sector will play a pivotal role in that. Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short to medium term for the transport sector.”
“That point has been well made by both Deputies. I will engage with the NTA and keep both Deputies fully informed. There could be an interim measure we can take. There is a longer term plan and continued investment in the public transport fleet, including DART+ South West, which everyone is supportive of and which we will bring forward. The Government has started work on that. I will keep Deputies Ward and Moynihan informed of progress.”
“One can see from the questions Deputies Ward and Moynihan have asked that there is a gap regarding which needs to be filled in the interim. I am aware of the issue and will engage with the NTA to see whether we can bring forward the service and provide interim services solutions in advance of that. I will keep the Deputies informed.”
“Deputy Moynihan asked a question about this on a previous occasion. The cessation of the Airport Hopper was a disappointment. It was a direct route for people. On foot of the questions asked a few weeks ago and Deputy Ward's question today, I will ask the NTA to move forward and see if something can be done within the public service obligation. There was a substantial increase in public service obligation funding. We have also seen a substantial increase in routes and additions to routes. Last year, 365 million public service obligation transport journeys took place across the network, a record number. Journeys are growing by about 6% or 7% per year. People respond when they have the choice and opportunity to use public transport.”
“In addition there is MetroLink, which will start construction by the end of next year. It is fully funded under the national development plan and will integrate directly with Iarnród Éireann services at Glasnevin, thereby significantly improving public transport access to Dublin Airport. Deputy Moynihan asked for an update on DART+ South West. We are committed to that and are doing it as a Government. It will be a critical enabler of improving public transport services in what is a major growth area. There has been significant housing development in the area and new families moving in. We have to ensure that the public transport offering is commensurate with population growth.”
“For example, route W4 which currently operates between Tallaght and Blanchardstown will connect with the planned new route N8 at Blanchardstown which will serve Dublin Airport via the M50. A further welcome development is included in the Dublin Airport Authority's planning application currently under consideration to increase passenger numbers to 40 million per annum. As part of this proposal, the DAA has sought approval for a new ground transportation centre which will consolidate airport bus services in a single location and, where possible, segregate general but traffic from pedestrian movements. This would provide priority access to bus stop facilities and increase bus bay capacities, supporting the continued growth of public transport use to make journeys to the airport.”
“The NTA is critical in the context of the planning and provision of services and continues to keep public transport connectivity, including access to Dublin Airport, under ongoing and active review. As the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, mentioned in a previous response, there was a substantial increase, about 46%, in the public service obligation in the budget to enhance and improve our services. While there is no direct public transport from Dublin Mid-West to the airport, a range of convenient and flexible travel options are available. Many travel by rail into the city centre and out from there. Looking ahead, the NTA is continuing to invest in additional orbital bus services which will provide more options to reach Dublin Airport by public transport.”
“This is another project that shows the benefits of the shared island initiative. It is bringing people on the island of Ireland together and normalising future relations. It is a fantastic example of how local authorities and chambers of commerce work together. The Border does not exist, and that is critical. People are working together and bringing in investment. People work on both sides of the Border. The shared island fund is an important enabler. The Taoiseach is incredibly supportive of the project. We are happy to work with it. The fund has been a constructive partner, as have Donegal County Council, Derry and Strabane and the chambers of commerce. To be fair, politicians across the House, including Deputy Mac Lochlainn, have been very supportive of this. I look forward to it opening. Maybe we will take a flight up there together.”
“I met with the chambers of commerce on both sides of the Border, as well as with Derry City and Strabane District Council. On the Letterkenny side, there are substantial land banks for further investment and employment growth. There would also be a good tourism offering for people there. I am looking forward to it. We are watching it. I am confident in the timelines I have provided. I thank the Deputy for his support for this project.”
“I, too, share the Deputy’s disappointment with regard to the A5. We are still committed to delivering it whenever legal challenges and planning issues are dispensed with. In the meantime, this is critical. This route is viable and needed. We will support it with a public service obligation. The timelines I have provided are robust. I very much expect this service to be up and running in October. Both the awarding of the contract and a commencement of the service will happen in October, aligning with that winter 2026 schedule. Not only will this service provide connectivity between Dublin and Derry but it will provide onwards connectivity as well. Certainly, from a geographical perspective, it is critical for the north west. It will drive investment.”
“My officials are progressing the preparatory work necessary to establish this service. That work is now well advanced. On 22 December 2025, we published a market-sounding survey. Views of stakeholders, including those who might avail of the service, were sought on the service. It is important we do that. This survey includes the specifications that would potentially best meet the requirements of the PSO air service, such as aircraft type, capacity and frequency of services. Engagement on this survey was positive. Over 700 responses were received, confirming the interest and recognised benefits of the PSO air service for stakeholders in Derry and the wider north-west region. All things being equal, it is expected that following a two-month tender procedure, a contract will be awarded for the commencement of services this October.”
“In this context, and in line with our objectives on building a shared island, the Government committed to engage with all relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry city airports. I met with officials in the City of Derry Airport and Derry Chamber as well as with the Deputy’s colleagues in Donegal County Council. Last year, we decided that, pending progress on the A5 motorway upgrade, preparatory work to reintroduce the PSO air service to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry airports in 2026 would be progressed. We are fully committed to the reintroduction of a PSO service on this route, which will be funded through the shared island fund. As announced in budget 2026, the Government has doubled the resources available under this fund out to 2035.”
“I agree with the Deputy that this is a critical route. I am happy to provide him with an update. It was a programme for Government commitment, as the Deputy knows, to re-establish the route. I thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this matter. We are committed to supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland where people can live, work and connect. The Deputy has made that point validly with regard to the north west. Many stakeholders have recognised that the north west is an area that is relatively under-served by transport connectivity. We are improving that but it needs to be improved further. Government-funded PSO air services previously operated on this route for a ten-year period up until 2011.”
“I believe we will be able to bring this very shortly after, with construction on DART+ West and DART + South West. I will work with the Deputy on it. The Taoiseach has spoken to me directly on it too. He is fully supportive of the DART+ programme. Obviously there are also the other elements such as DART+ Coastal North and so on, but these two will be first. We will work together to make sure it happens.”
“In the national development plan one in every four euro being invested between now and the end of this decade, between now and 2030, is being invested in transport. We are investing in public transport like has never happened before. It is very much focused on our rail network because it is good particularly for commuters, good for quality of life, good to reduce congestion and good for climate. We are seeing record numbers of people using public transport and record numbers of people using the trains. I know from being out in the constituency with Deputy Moynihan and from meeting his constituents that there is an absolute desire and imperative to deliver this project. We are delivering it and we have started those enabling works now through the CPO work.”
“I want to get over the milestones of the CPO. We want to get to the commencement of the enabling works as well, which will be happening too. We will see construction start in 2027 on DART+ West. Shortly after that, with movement in our sectoral ceiling that I think we can do, we can get DART+ South West into construction in 2028.”
“I agree completely with the Deputy. The work that is happening now is critical to advance the project. In fairness, the Deputy has been working directly with us on this and advocating for his constituency. Deputy Moynihan is right. Given the number of houses and the development that is happening out there and in Adamstown the whole area has grown substantially over the last years and this needs to be supported by DART+ South West. Working with the Deputy, we will ensure that we do that. DART+ West is critical, as is DART+ South West because they do interact with each other. I believe we can bring this project forward and I want us to do that. We have allocated the funding we need in order to do what we need to this year and next. It is about bringing it into construction. I am confident we can do that.”
“In addition to sectoral Exchequer capital allocations, which the Deputy has been pushing for and on which we met on a number of occasions, my Department will continue to explore opportunities to advance this and bring it forward. DART+ West is an enabler for DART+ South West. Within our sectoral ceilings we do have some flex and I believe we can bring this project forward. We need to get the compulsory purchase order, CPO, work done and we need to get DART+ West started in 2027. I believe that with continued work on this we could see DART+ South West starting in 2028. Both of them interact with each other, as the Deputy knows, and I will be working with the Deputy to ensure that we do.”
“DART+ West is a critical enabler for the wider programme and must be advanced first, as it will provide an additional depot location and capacity for new fleet as well as the requirement enhancements to city centre rail capacity to support future services. I will return to this. Funding from the sectoral investment plan has also allowed compulsory purchase orders for DART+ South West to commence in February this year. Procurement for DART+ West is progressing in a way that ultimately assists with DART+ South West, in that it is intended the framework contracts being established for DART+ West will also be used for DART+ South West. I want to see this being done in tandem.”
“As part of the wider DART+ programme, DART+ South West will provide an extension of electrified DART services from the city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. I know this is a project the Deputy has supported from its genesis and he continues to do so. A major milestone was cleared in November 2024 when the project secured full planning approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála. Preparation for procurement for DART+ West and DART+ South West is progressing together. I want to be clear about that. Design and build pre-qualification questionnaires were issued in May 2025. Funding allocated under the national development plan sectoral investment plan, which was published last November, will see construction of the DART+ programme begin. I expect DART+ West will enter construction before the end of 2027.”