Parliamentary questions

Fuel Oil Specifications

Colm Burke

10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to research and develop the hydrotreated vegetable oil market in Ireland, in view that HVO fuel could be substituted for diesel in diesel cars, which could lead to an immediate reduction in carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/24]

Bus Services

Colm Burke

79. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to improve the bus service in Cork city in view of recurring issues with reliability of bus services including cancelled and late buses, and the frequency of these issues occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/24]

Electric Vehicles

Colm Burke

110. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport his views on the provision of mobility hubs nationally under the new Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022 – 2025, in particular details of the launch of pilot hubs in two cities and a major town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10955/24]

Cycling Facilities

Colm Burke

199. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the provision of additional funding for the expansion of the Cork city bike scheme into the north side of Cork city in view of the increase in bike journeys in Cork city from 2022 to 2023 as set out in a recent review undertaken by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13074/24]

Rail Network

Colm Burke

194. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to confirm when works will begin in respect of each of the new rail stations of Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Carrigtwohill West, Water-Rock, Ballynoe under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme; when each will be opened and operational, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11421/24]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

36. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to progress the Mallow relief road project; what level of funding will be allocated for 2024, given that €100,000 was allocated in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4614/24]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

75. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to progress the North Ring Road in Cork city; what level of funding will be allocated for 2024 in view of the large volume of traffic which is now forced to travel through Mayfield including traffic heading for the port facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4615/24]

Electric Vehicles

Colm Burke

185. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the reason the regulations under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, which governs the use of e-scooters, have not come into effect; when they will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4800/24]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

171. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to reduce the lengthy waiting times for driving test appointments at a test centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2421/24]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

148. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the current average waiting time for driver tests across all test centres nationally, in tabular form; what progress has been made to date in reducing the five or six month waiting time for driving tests experienced by applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2114/24]

Road Safety

Colm Burke

149. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to address the increase in road deaths over the past five years, with the exception of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2151/24]

Road Safety

Colm Burke

150. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to address road safety challenges nationally and to reduce death and injuries of road users, pedestrians and cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2152/24]

Road Safety

Colm Burke

151. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to address road safety challenges in Cork, in view that Cork in most instances is in the top two counties for most road traffic fatalities in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2153/24]

Road Safety

Colm Burke

152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to prioritise the safety of road users and if consideration would be given to increased road policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2154/24]

Public Transport

Colm Burke

184. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will set aside increased funding in respect of the rural public transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56651/23]

Bus Services

Colm Burke

177. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to improve a bus route in Cork city in view that there are recurring issues with reliability of the service (details supplied); if Saturday has been removed from the route; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54367/23]

Bus Services

Colm Burke

37. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to deal with recruitment and retention challenges of bus drivers in the bus service, given the ongoing capacity issues across services nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52789/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

145. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to the addition of a cancellation list for driving test appointments at test centres nationally to facilitate those who urgently require a driving test appointment in view of the current five-month waiting time for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45195/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

146. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the current average waiting time for driving tests nationally; what progress has been made to date in reducing the five-month waiting time for driving tests experienced by applicants earlier in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45196/23]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

47. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to progress the north ring road in Cork city; what level of funding will be allocated for the coming year, in view of the large volume of traffic which is now forced to travel through Mayfield, including traffic heading for the port facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43081/23]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

67. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to progress the Mallow relief road project; what level of funding will be allocated for the coming year, in view that €100,000 was allocated in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43080/23]

Bus Services

Colm Burke

170. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to improve the bus service in Cork in view that there are recurring issues with reliability and capacity; if additional funding will be provided to improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43199/23]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

171. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on progress made to date on the Banduff road scheme project; the level of funding that will be provided by the Department for the project in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43200/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

307. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he intends on taking to address the 37-week wait in accessing a driving test in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38038/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

308. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if staffing levels will be increased in the driving test centres in Cork to reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38039/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

309. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport when he expects that the average waiting time for an invitation to a driving test will be reduced back down to ten-weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38040/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

310. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action is being taken to increase the number of staff employed at driving test centres in order to reduce the waiting time backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38041/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

179. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the current average waiting time for driving tests; what progress has been made to date in reducing the five-month waiting time for driving tests experienced by applicants earlier in the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31235/23]

Transport Policy

Colm Burke

19. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the safe routes to school programme in Cork, in particular setting out, in tabular form, the number of schools that will be included in the programme; to provide a status update on the roll-out of these projects under round 1 schemes and round 2 schemes in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30115/23]

Parking Provision

Colm Burke

23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what engagement has taken place between his Department and the DAA, with a view to having the appropriate level of car parking spaces available in Dublin Airport and Cork Airport ahead of the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30116/23]

Taxi Regulations

Colm Burke

248. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether 2015 vehicles are to be included under the extension on age limit for vehicles used as taxis, in view of the current global shortages of new vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23011/23]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Colm Burke

198. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that his Department will engage with Cork City Council with a view to developing a park-and-ride facility on land the council owns at Monard, Cork, taking into account that these lands also adjoin the Cork-to-Mallow rail line, where it is proposed to build a railway station in the long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21617/23]

Driver Licences

Colm Burke

117. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the process that is in place for those who hold Ukrainian driving licences to be assessed by the NDLS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20948/23]

Public Transport

Colm Burke

141. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to improve modes of public transport, in particular the national bus service, given that passenger numbers have in some cases exceeded pre-Covid levels, resulting in capacity issues on many bus routes across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21032/23]

Airport Security

Colm Burke

142. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to ensure stronger security measures across all Irish airports in light of recent events of drone activity at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/23]

Transport Policy

Colm Burke

197. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a Standards Working Group which was convened to examine the various guidance and standards documents (details supplied) which should be taken into account by local authorities when constructing new walking and cycling infrastructure to ensure that this infrastructure is designed safely and efficiently in order to encourage more people to use active travel transport modes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19522/23]

Transport Policy

Colm Burke

198. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if a Standards Working Group convened by his Department plans to examine the MacCurtain Street public transport improvement scheme, currently being implemented by Cork City Council as part of its review, to ensure that the local authority is in line with the various guidelines and standards documents (details supplied) which should be taken into account by local authorities when undertaking to construct new walking and cycling infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/23]

Traffic Management

Colm Burke

191. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Kinsale town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18841/23]

Traffic Management

Colm Burke

192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Clonakilty town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18842/23]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

193. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the funding application by Cork County Council for the road upgrade project at Pewter Hole Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18843/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

21. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to reduce the five-month waiting time for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18391/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

22. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what immediate action his Department is taking to help alleviate the waiting time for driving tests, which now stands at five months, in view that many provisional drivers now find themselves in a position where they will not have the funds to insure their vehicle wherein the cost is significantly higher for provisional drivers than fully licensed drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18392/23]

Energy Policy

Colm Burke

23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the proposed introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/23]

Energy Policy

Colm Burke

24. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to clarify that following the potential introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland, whether or not E5 petrol will still continue to be supplied in order to cater for the thousands of pre-Euro V engine vehicles still being used by many motorists on Irish roads today, in view that if E5 petrol were to be discontinued nationally thousands of vehicles could not be operated which would force many motorists to buy a newer vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18398/23]

Energy Policy

Colm Burke

25. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to ensure that motorists will not be directly affected by the proposed introduction of E10 petrol, in view that many motorists currently operate older vehicles compatible to E5 petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18399/23]

Taxi Licences

Colm Burke

281. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the number of applications in total that have been received for the local hackney pilot programme since the closing date of 28 February 2023; if applications received include applications for each of the 21 areas in the pilot scheme; if consideration will be given to extending the programme to other rural areas going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17014/23]

Climate Change Policy

Colm Burke

214. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the financial support schemes or incentives currently in place to assist drivers who wish to switch to hybrid/electric vehicles in order to reduce their carbon footprint; if it is planned to introduce additional supports in order to assist in meeting Ireland’s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15060/23]

Road Projects

Colm Burke

49. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the level of funding allocated for roads in Cork, in particular rural roads, in light of the 2023 grant allocations from his Department for national roads, active travel and greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10470/23]

Road Safety

Colm Burke

63. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to improve safety standards on the N20 national road from Cork to Limerick, in view of the high level of accidents on this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10471/23]

National Car Test

Colm Burke

32. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to reduce the NCT test wait time backlog, given the average wait time for an NCT test has now passed five months in 31 centres across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1951/23]