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Transport

The Department of Transport has to ensure the provision, development and regulation of a competitive, safe and secure transport services and transport infrastructure for the road, rail, air and maritime transport modes in Ireland.

In realtion to the national roads and road transport policy, the Department has the responsibility of delivering on the national roads programme as part of the national development plan, implementing the Governments roads safety strategy and related policies for vehicle standards regulation, road haulage licencing, driver licensing and driver testing.

In respect of aviation policy, the Department is responsible for ensuring that aviation practices and procedures comply with best international standards; promoting the development of competitive and regulated aviation sector and the provision of adequate airport infrastructure and competitive airport services.

In respect of Maritime Transport, the Department is responsible for establishing, promoting, regulating and enforcing Maritime Safety and Security Standards, providing emergency responce services and safeguarding the Maritime Environment. It is also responsible for ports and shipping policy.

Roads

 The Department's main function in relation to roads are:

  • the legal framework relating to the provision and maintenance of national roads and the legal framework within which the NRA operates;
  • funding for the national roads programme;
  • monitoring NRA (National Roads Authority) expenditure;
  • providing policy guidance to the NRA;
  • overseeing the effective implementation of the national roads element of Transport 21 investment programme;
  • the promotion of the safer use of roads through a combination of policy, education and legislative measures.
  • Provision of funding of roads under Transport21
  • overseeing activities of implementing agencies such as NRA and RSA (Road Safety Authority) as well as local authorities;
  • promotion of road safety;

Specific objectives of the Department are:

  • ensure, as far as possible, the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads,
  • ensure, as far as possible, the provision of a safe and efficient network of non-national roads,
  • play an effective role in the EU legislative and decision making process,
  • ensure the optimum and safe use of the public road network,
  • ensure that vehicles are safe and suitable for use on public roads,
  • provide machinery for the licensing and taxation of vehicles used on public roads,
  • ensure that drivers are fit, competent and licensed to drive vehicles of an appropriate class on public roads, improve road safety.

Public Transport

The Department's strategic objectives in relation to public transport are

  • to provide a well functioning, integrated public transport system, which enhances competitiveness, sustains economic progress, promotes balanced regional development and contributes to social cohesion;
  • to provide a defined standard of public transport, at reasonable cost to the customer and the taxpayer;
  • to ensure the timely and cost effective delivery of the accelerated investment in the infrastructure and facilities necessary to ensure improved public transport provision.

The Department endorses some State Agencies in relation to public transport. These are:

  • Bus Eireann
  • Bus Atha Cliath
  • Iarnrod Eireann
  • Railway Procurement Agency
  • Dublin Transportation Office
  • Railway Safety Commission
  • Commission for Taxi Regulation

Aviation and Air Travel

The implementation of the policies in relation to Air Transport in Ireland have been entrusted to different State Agencies:

Dublin Airport Authority

DAA is responsible for the management and development of Dublin Airport. Dublin Airport Authority is also charged with taking all necessary measures to give effect to the restructuring of the State Airports as provided for in the State Airports Act 2004. However, prior to the completion of the restructuring (i.e. prior to the assets of Shannon and Cork Airports being vested in their respective Airport Authorities.) Dublin Airport Authority will remain responsible for Shannon and Cork.

Dublin Airport Authority plc
Head Office
Old Central Terminal Building
Dublin Airport
Co. Dublin
Telephone: 00-353-1-8141111
Email: customer.relations@dublinairport.com
Homepage: www.dublin-airport.com

Shannon Airport Authority

Shannon Airport Authority was incorporated on 16th September 2004 and will in due course, own and operate Shannon Airport. At present the board of Shannon Airport Authority is charged with preparing to assume responsibility for the management and development of Shannon Airport as well as being empowered to undertake any functions delegated to it by, and in agreement with, Dublin Airport Authority during the interim period.

Shannon Airport Authority plc
Shannon Airport
Co. Clare
Telephone: 00-353-61-712000
Email: feedback@shannonairport.com
Homepage: www.shannonairport.com

Cork Airport Authority

Cork Airport Authority plc was incorporated on 16th September 2004 and will in due course, own and operate Cork Airport. At present the board of Cork Airport Authority is charged with preparing to assume responsibility for the management and development of Cork Airport as well as being empowered to undertake any functions delegated to it by, and in agreement with, Dublin Airport Authority during the interim period.

Cork Airport Authority plc
Cork Airport
Co. Cork
Telephone: 00-353-21-4313131
Email: feedback@corkairport.com
Homepage: www.corkairport.com

Irish Aviation Authority

The Irish Aviation Authority is responsible of operational and regulatory functions and services relating to the safety and technical aspects of civil aviation.

The Authority ensures that the Irish Civil Aviation operates to international and European safety standards and systems in accordance with international agreements.

Irish Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Hawkins Street
Dublin 2
Telephone: 00-353-1-6718655
Fax: 00-353-1-6792934

Commission for Aviation Regulation

The Commissions functions are

  • approval of the maximum level of airport charges and aviation terminal service charges (air traffic control) at airports;
  • regulating groundhandling services at airports;
  • granting operating licences to air carriers established in Ireland;
  • administration of the rules governing the allocation of take-off and landing slots at airports
  • licensing and bonding of travel agents and tour operators.

The Commission has an additional function on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and cancellation or long delays of flights.

Commission for Aviation Regulation
Alexandra House
Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
Telephone 00-353-1-6611700
Fax: 00-353-1-6611269 (general)
Fax for Travel Trade Licensing: 00-353-1-6612092

Marine

From the 1st of January 2006 The Irish Coast Guard, Maritime Safety Directorate and Maritime Transport have moved to the Department of Transport. 

Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD)

The Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD) is comprised of two main sections; the Marine Survey Office (MSO) which includes the Marine Radio Affairs Unit (MRAU) and the Marine Safety and Environment Division.

Irish Coast Guard

The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is responsible for:

  • Search and Rescue;
  • Pollution and Salvage response in the marine environment;
  • Marine communications network;
  • Marine safety awareness.

Maritime Transport

The Maritime Transport is responsible for:

  • facilitating the availability of commercial port services which are effective, competitive and cost efficient.
  • ensuring adequate infrastructure at ports to cope with growing throughput and facilitate copmpetitive shipping services in line with assessments of national seaport capacity to 2007;
  • facilitating the coordination and integration of maritime transport within the total transport chain;
  • overseeing the transfer to alternative uses under local control, of those remaining regional ports and harbours which do not form part of the national maritime transport system for trade and travel while maintaining, in transition, an appropriate corporate governance regime, as stated in the Harbours Act, 1996;
  • implementing the general strategic development framework for State regional ports and harbours through transfer of ownership to port companies or local authorities;
  • expanding Irish based ship ownership and ship management and to increase Irish seafarer employment;
  • sustainably increasing Irish seafarer and onshore maritime sector employment.