Funding will support the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure around the country
I am delighted to announce an allocation of €360 million in 2026 for active travel and greenway projects demonstrates the Government’s commitment to expanding sustainable transport options and delivering on the provision of safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. The €290 million invested in the NTA’s Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme will assist with the development of key active travel networks in our villages, towns and cities, making walking and cycling a viable option for more of our population. The investment of €62 million in our Greenways network, meanwhile, will help deliver key projects all over the country and is another step towards the development of a National Cycle Network.
 
Here are a list of projects in our area that will benefit from this funding. 
 
Broadmeadow Estuary Cycle & Pedestrian Bridge € 12,200,000
 
             A route to link Malahide and Donabate with a pedestrian and cycle way, including the estuary bridge crossing beside the railway bridge.
 

• S2M Extension Sutton to Malahide € 100,000 Provision of a pedestrian and cycle route from Sutton to Malahide

 

• Donabate Ped and Cycle Bridge € 63,000 New Pedestrian bridge over railway in Donabate.

 

• Donabate Hearse Rd/Main St/Portrane Rd (Link 1 & Link 2) € 40,000 Cycling and walking along Donabate Green Routes (Hearse Rd/Main St/Protrane Rd)

 

• Rathingle/Rivervalley Rd Swords € 20,000 Construction of new protected cycle lanes, upgrade of junctions to improve road safety.

 

• Seatown Roundabout to Estuary Road (Swords to Malahide) € 3 ,000,000 Rapid Build protected cycle lanes and pedestrian improvements

 

• New Street Malahide Improvement Scheme € 1 ,000,000 Public Realm improvements to a pedestrianised New Street

 

• Swords Cycle Network - Sustainable Swords € 20,000 Swords to Malahide Cycle Route

 

• Feltrim Road cycle infrastructure € 20,000 Cycling and walking infrastructure along the Feltrim road, Swords.

 

• Donabate to Portrane (R126) - Distributor Rd to Portrane Avenue Active Travel Routes € 20,000 Active Travel scheme

 

• SRTS  - St Colmcille's Girls National School € 400,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS - St Helen's Senior National School € 400,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS - Holy Family Junior National School € 400,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS  - St Nicola's of Myra National School € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS - Scoil Mhuire Junior National School € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS  - Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS - Holywell Educate Together National School € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS - Malahide/Portmarnock Educate Together National School € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• SRTS  - Broadmeadow Community National School € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• FNewtown Bridge Balheary Road Swords € 30,000 SRTS Scheme

 

• Fingal Community Bike Library € 50,000 Fingal Community Bike Library scheme

 

• Kinsealy Walking and Cycling Scheme € 20,000 Cycling and walking infrastructure linking Kinsealy to Portmarnock

 

• SRTS  - St. Andrew’s NS, Malahide € 1 ,500 SRTS Scheme

 

• Bus Stop Enhancement Programme € 500,000 Upgrade of bus stops in various locations across the county in agreed locations, including the installation of bus poles and hardstanding areas.

 

• FR132 Junction Upgrade Design € 8 ,118,000 R132 Junction Upgrades, Swords

 

• Bus Priority/Traffic Management Improvements € 1 ,000,000 Specific projects to be approved

 

Works to begin this month on a major upgrade to the wastewater network in Swords
Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, has welcomed confirmation that construction will commence along Balheary Road in the coming weeks.
The project, being delivered by Uisce Éireann, will significantly increase capacity in the local wastewater network and improve overall system performance.
This critical investment will reduce pressure on existing infrastructure while making it possible to deliver 2,980 new homes. It will also ensure that Swords can continue to grow in a sustainable manner, with the necessary services in place to support both residents and local businesses.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Brien said:
“This is a great win for the community of Swords today. Upgrading and developing key infrastructure is essential to paving the way for the delivery of thousands of homes across the country.
“The commencement of this project will unlock thousands of homes right here in Swords. It will provide real opportunities for people, particularly those from the local community, who wish to buy a home close to their friends and loved ones.
“This investment will benefit the area for many years to come by providing the critical capacity needed to support new homes in North County Dublin. It will also ensure that the services required to sustain the local economy are in place so businesses can continue to thrive.”
The works will involve the installation of more than 360 metres of new wastewater pipeline between the Balheary Road and Castlegrange Green junction and the Estuary Roundabout. Construction will also take place along the R125 and within Balheary Park.
The main phase of construction is expected to be completed by summer 2026, with works at the Estuary Roundabout scheduled to conclude by the end of 2026.
Concluding, Minister O’Brien said:
“Swords and the wider North County Dublin region continue to grow in size and importance. Projects like this are essential to supporting that growth and ensuring the area can develop in a sustainable and well planned way.”

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, has welcomed 2025 as a record-setting year for Dublin Bus. Dublin Bus has become Ireland’s biggest public transport operator, with passengers making approximately 164 million journeys throughout the year.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, said:
“The news that Dublin Bus has broken passenger records in 2025 is hugely welcome. It shows that sustained Government investment 
in public transport yields results. More people are choosing buses because services have expanded, and capacity has grown. 24-hour services, cross-city and high-frequency routes all serve to make public transport an attractive choice for travel. I thank all employees of Dublin Bus who work hard to support this service and its users.
“Under the National Development Plan we will invest approximately €10.1 billion in public transport over 2026 to 2030, along with an additional €2 billion to support MetroLink.
“Of course, we know there is more to do and we must keep working hard to enhance the everyday experience of all passengers using public transport nationwide, improving the quality and accessibility of our public transport services. Progressing the establishment of an effective transport security force is among my key priorities for 2026.
“We aim for a public transport service that continues to earn people’s trust and meet the demands of a growing city.”
Notes for Editors: 

• In 2025, Dublin Bus carried around 164 million customers – an increase of 5 million since 2024.
• On a typical weekday, Dublin Bus carries around 500,000 customers. 
• Dublin Bus now offers more than 130 routes across the city and Greater Dublin Area, from the high-frequency routes seen on the E or F spine to Express routes and Nitelinks.
• Just two years on from the first electric double-decker rolling out of a depot, Dublin Bus now say that just over 10% of their fleet is fully electric.
• The number of 24-hour routes expanded to fifteen.

Source: www.dublinbus.ie

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced the establishment of the Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU) within the Department of Transport. From 1 January 2026, the MAIU replaces the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) as the permanent body responsible for marine accident investigations. The MAIU will take over ongoing MCIB investigations.
The MAIU is led by Chief Investigator David O’Driscoll. It will carry out marine safety investigations into accidents involving vessels in Irish waters, and Irish-flagged vessels anywhere in the world. Establishment of the MAIU means that Ireland will now have a body staffed with a full-time, permanent team of investigators for marine accidents. This is in line with best practice internationally, and mirrors existing practice in aviation and railway accident investigations in the State.
“The establishment of the MAIU marks a significant step forward in strengthening Ireland’s maritime safety framework. This dedicated unit will ensure that marine accident investigations continue to be carried out to the highest standards to help prevent similar accidents occurring in future. I would like to thank the MCIB, its Board, its investigators and its staff members for the valuable work they carried out during their tenure. The new unit will build on the important contribution they have made.”

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien“The enactment of the legislation that allowed for the establishment of the MAIU is a commitment in the Programme for Government, and shows our focus on enhancing Ireland’s maritime safety regime, particularly in marine accident investigation.”

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán CanneyThis new unit is established under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025. The Act also dissolves the MCIB, repeals the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, and revokes the European Communities (Merchant Shipping) (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations 2011.