307. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 10 February 2026, the specific delivery milestones and the mechanism by which his Department monitors the compliance of the National Transport Authority in respect of the Blarney, Glanmire and Ballyvolane growth corridors to 2030. [65450/26]

311. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the steps taken by his Department to monitor and enforce compliance by the National Transport Authority with the acknowledgement and reply timeframes set out in Circular 25/2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65445/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 311 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is a non-commercial State body operating under the aegis of the Department of Transport. While the NTA exercises its functions independently, it is fully accountable to my Department for its performance, governance and use of public funds. This is established through both legislation and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which is implemented through a number of formal oversight mechanisms.

Under the Code of Practice, an Oversight Agreement (OA) and a Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) are in place between my Department and the NTA. These agreements set out the statutory and policy framework within which the NTA operates, the respective roles and responsibilities of the NTA and the Department, key outputs and performance indicators, and governance, compliance, and assurance obligations.

My Department has a dedicated Governance Division which oversees compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies including compliance with Department of Public Expenditure Reform Circular 25/2016, setting out a protocol for the provision of information to members of the Oireachtas by State bodies. Adherence to this protocol is part of the Department’s Qversight Agreement with the NTA.

In keeping with the requirements of circular 25/2016 all agencies under the aegis of my Department have a dedicated Oireachtas email address which is accessible to all, of which the NTA's is oireachtasliaison@nationaltransport.ie.

The Department also exercises ongoing oversight through a structured programme of engagement, including monthly meetings between NTA senior management and Department officials, quarterly corporate governance meetings to review compliance and performance, regular day-to-day engagement on policy and programme delivery, and direct engagement with me as Minister on strategic or topical matters. The NTA is also required to submit annual reports, strategy statements, financial accounts, and other documentation that enable the Department to assess its performance.