Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, has welcomed the decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála to grant planning approval for the Luas Finglas project, enabling it to progress towards procurement and construction.
Minister O’Brien said: “This is a major milestone in expanding Dublin’s public transport network. Luas Finglas will offer thousands of Dubliners a fast, reliable, sustainable way to get around the city, helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.  The additional cycle and pedestrian facilities involved in the project will offer even more sustainable and active transport options.
By reducing journey times, the project will also support the development of housing and businesses along the route. Luas Finglas will bring great benefits to the local community as well as to Dublin as a whole.”
The Luas Finglas extension is a transformative infrastructure project that will extend the Luas Green Line by 4 kilometers northward from Broombridge to Charlestown, adding four new stops: Charlestown, St Margaret’s Road, Finglas Village, and St Helena’s.
The Luas Finglas extension is part of the National Development Plan and reflects the Government commitment to developing sustainable urban transport.  

Bill paves way for Government investment of €1.5 billion in ESB Networks – to support crucial development of our electricity grid over the next five years
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has today welcomed the Government decision to publish the text of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Bill will now pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas and once enacted, will provide the mechanism for Government to invest €1.5 billion in ESB Networks to support crucial development of our electricity grid over the next five years, as committed to in the updated National Development Plan. The Bill also provides for an increase in ESB’s statutory borrowing limit from €12 billion to €17 billion.
 
The €1.5 billion investment will support ESB’s ability to finance its unprecedented investment plan for 2026-2030. Enabling it to expand, modernise and reinforce our onshore electricity network infrastructure.
 
ESB Networks is responsible for managing the country’s electricity networks and the overall ESB investment plan will see delivery of over 500 capital projects including 181km of new overhead lines, 319km of new underground cables, nearly 70 new and upgraded substations across the country and 50,000 pole replacements.
 
This critical infrastructure will improve the resilience of Ireland’s onshore electricity system and future-proof it for generations to come. It will support housing development, foreign direct investment, Ireland’s transition to greater levels of renewable energy and safeguard against damage from future weather events. It will ensure we can meet the demands required by the expected 50% growth in electricity by 2035 and deliver on Ireland’s energy needs.
 
Without Government equity investment, ESB Networks would be unable to deliver such an extensive and rapid programme of work in the five years to 2030. While the investment does not directly lower current customer electricity bills, it ensures that ESB can borrow at the most competitive interest rates, ultimately lowering the impact of network charges on customer bills.
 
The ESB equity injection is part of the €3.5 billion Government investment approved in the National Development Plan in July, which represented the largest single investment ever made in Ireland’s electricity network. €2 billion will be allocated to EirGrid over the next five years, and the mechanism for this equity investment will be agreed and legislated for separately.
 
Speaking today, Minister O’ Brien said:
 
“This €1.5 billion investment is crucial to modernising and future-proofing our electricity network infrastructure.
 
“We want to ensure that every home and every business has a reliable and secure source of electricity, including the 300,000 new homes we’ve committed to build by 2030.
 
“This investment will deliver energy security for Irish families and communities across the country. It will drastically improve network resilience against future weather events. It will create thousands of jobs. And it will make Ireland a more attractive place for international companies to invest and grow.”
 
Commenting, Paddy Hayes, Chief Executive, ESB said:
 
“ESB welcomes the publication of proposed legislation to facilitate an equity investment of €1.5 billion which will support ESB Networks’ plan to deliver an investment of €13.4 billion in critical electricity infrastructure over the next five years.
 
“Investment by ESB Networks in enhancing electricity system infrastructure is essential – to support economic development, housing growth, and improved resilience, while delivering of an increasingly decarbonised electricity system – for customers, for the economy and for our future.”

• Major Project to Enhance Cork’s Bus and Cycle Infrastructure 
• More Reliable, Frequent and Faster Bus Services 
• Planning Applications Next Year

 
Cabinet has today approved BusConnects Cork, a transformative programme of investment in Cork’s bus and cycle system. Today’s approval will facilitate the lodgement of planning applications with An Coimisiún Pleanála for new bus and active travel infrastructure, which is expected to occur next year. 
The multi-billion euro BusConnects Cork investment programme was developed following extensive public consultation by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The programme will deliver 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors across Cork city, covering 90km of bus lanes as well as 95km of cycle lane facilities (in one direction). It will also deliver new bus shelters, electric buses and Next Generation Ticketing. The redesigned bus network will have over 50% more bus services in place, with two routes operating 24-hours.
All of this will provide more reliable, frequent and faster bus services, and better cycling infrastructure to the people of Cork, through an integrated sustainable transport network.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, said: 
“Today’s approval of BusConnects Cork is another example of the Government meeting its commitments to invest in sustainable transport. As a result of this programme, an extra 13,000 people will be able to reach Cork city entre by public transport from their homes within 30 minutes. BusConnects Cork will make it faster and easier to get to school, work, or visit family and friends. And by reducing congestion, it will make our streets safer for all.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said: 
"BusConnects Cork is transformative and ambitious, mapping out a modern, efficient and sustainable transport system for the city. It will not only improve connectivity and help reduce journey times, but also support economic growth and our climate goals. It is an investment in a cleaner, safer and more accessible future for transport."
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, said: 
“As a resident of Cork city, I am delighted to see BusConnects Cork moving to the next stage of development. This project has potential to transform the way we move across the city, increasing our transport options and making travel by bus and bike more attractive. There will of course be challenges, as with any ambitious project, but the benefits for the city and its residents will be considerable.”
Hugh Creegan, Interim CEO of the NTA, welcomed the Government’s decision, stating:
“This is a significant step forward for sustainable transport in Cork. The BusConnects programme will deliver a cleaner, faster and more efficient transport system for the people of Cork, making it easier for people to use public transport as part of their daily lives, improving journey times, reducing congestion, and supporting the city’s growth.”
 
Notes to Editors
The BusConnects Cork programme involves various projects, including:

• Bus Network Redesign: A redesigned, and simplified, network of bus services across the city. There will be 53% more bus services (measured by in-service bus kilometres) and two routes will operate a 24-hour service – one running east-west and another running north-south.
• Sustainable Transport Corridors: 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors in three schemes, across the north, south-east, and south-west of the city and suburbs, consisting of 90km of segregated bus lanes and bus priority and 95km of high-quality segregated cycling routes. Following three rounds of public consultation, environmental impact assessment reports and planning documents are being prepared for the three schemes for submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála, which is expected to occur in 2026. 
• New bus stops and shelters, and Real Time Passenger Information. 
• Zero Emission Bus Fleet.
• Simplified fares.
• Next Generation Ticketing: An upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods (including mobile phones), thus enhancing passenger convenience and reducing delays at stops associated with fare payment.

 
Under the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines, any Exchequer investment proposal with an estimated capital cost of over €200 million requires Government consent for approval. This is the case with the BusConnects Cork programme. With today’s decision, the Government has issued Approval Gate 1 approval in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, allowing the Sustainable Transport Corridors to enter the planning system. 
The final budget and delivery schedule for BusConnects Cork will be established for Approval Gate 3 (Final Business Case) under the Infrastructure Guidelines, following the planning/procurement phases. At present, it is anticipated that delivery of the capital programme will range from between €2.3 billion and €3.5 billion. Even using an upper-end cost estimate, the Benefit to Cost Ratio for the programme is 1.50, indicating that for every €1 spent, the programme will generate €1.50 in benefits. 
The overall citywide approach is delivered through the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040. Adopted in 2020, CMATS is intended to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of the Cork Metropolitan Area as a dynamic, connected and internationally competitive European city region. CMATS 2040 was developed by the NTA in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council and Cork County Council.
During construction, appropriate traffic management measures will be put in place to manage any temporary traffic disruption. In addition, there will be extensive and comprehensive communication arrangements to ensure all impacted persons are fully informed of the construction activities and the mitigation measures in place.
There is more information available at https://busconnects.ie/cities/cork/. 

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien met today with European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris today to discuss future cooperation on climate-related and sustainable transport investment in Ireland. The meeting in Malahide focused on shared priorities – to accelerate low-carbon infrastructure, including renewable energy integration, public transport and green mobility initiatives. The EIB confirmed that it is examining potential support for the Dublin MetroLink project as part of wider engagement on Ireland’s sustainable transport transformation.
“I welcome the constructive discussions with the European Investment Bank on deepening our collaboration to deliver transformative climate-related investment and low-carbon transport for Ireland. The MetroLink project will be a cornerstone of Ireland’s climate and mobility strategy, and we value the EIB’s technical expertise and long-standing partnership.”

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien“The European Investment Bank is proud to support Ireland’s ambition for a cleaner, modern, and connected transport system. We are examining technical and financing options for MetroLink and other rail investment that can strengthen sustainable growth, cut emissions, and improve mobility across the country. Today’s discussions will help the EIB to consider financing for the Metrolink project.”

European Investment Bank Vice President, Ioannis TsakirisTechnical discussions between the Department of Transport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the EIB will continue in the coming weeks. A delegation from the Department will visit the EIB headquarters in Luxembourg shortly to examine technical and economic aspects related to potential financing for the MetroLink project.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Daragh O’Brien TD, has today announced funding of almost €27 million being provided from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) for local authorities to support and build low carbon communities across the country.
 
This funding comes as part of the Community Climate Action Programme, which supports projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and learning by doing. Phase 1 of Strand 1 of the programme saw €24 million supporting 650 community climate action projects across the country.
 
Today, Minister O’Brien launches phase 2 of the programme, which sees the funding being provided from the CAF to all local authorities to partner with community groups to run projects that will contribute to national climate and energy targets. the programme supports direct engagement with communities to promote and assist in the scale up of community climate action.
 
Community projects eligible for this guidance and potential funding will address the following five themes:

• community energy;
• travel;
• food and waste;
• shopping and recycling; and
• local climate and environmental action.

 
Speaking about the launch, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“Taking climate action is a global concern, but our local communities are at the heart of life in Ireland. The Community Climate Action Programme has already been successful at helping groups across the country take action within their own towns and neighbourhoods. With the launch of the new phase of CCAP, Local Authorities can continue to support community groups on projects that build low carbon communities.”
 
This strand is administered by the Community Climate Officers (CCAO) in our Local Authorities, who are there as a go-to resource to guide, support, and advise groups and organisations on how they can become lower carbon communities.
 
If a community group would like to learn more about they should contact their local CCAO, details can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/climate-action-fund/#community-climate-action-programme
 
Details on the Strand 1 Phase 2 funding allocated to each of the Local Authorities:
 
The following allocations are proposed based on a minimum allocation of €200,000 to each LA with the balance divided based on population data sourced from the 2016 CSO data
(source: http://census.cso.ie/sapmap/).

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the publication of the 2025/2026 Winter Outlook from EirGrid. The Winter Outlook is an annual report that focuses on the 5-month period of peak electricity demand between November and April and examines the risks to having sufficient generation capacity over those peak demand weeks. The Winter Outlook 2025/2026 shows an improved picture from last year, due in large part to work undertaken through the Security of Supply programme.
 
A key part of the Security of Supply programme is the provision and availability of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) units.
 
The Security of Supply Programme was developed in response to Ireland’s challenging generation adequacy position, at a time when the energy crisis brought this matter into sharp focus internationally. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) set out a range of actions in 2021 to provide additional stability and resilience to the power system in Ireland. This programme of work included the procurement of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) capacity, to remain available until the necessary replacement capacity has been secured from the market. Currently approximately 650MW of Temporary Emergency Generation is available on the system, located at North Wall, Huntstown, Shannonbridge and Tarbert. The programme of work also contracted the retention of Moneypoint beyond its expected closure date in 2025 – running on Heavy Fuel Oil instead of coal and, thus, providing additional resilience to the electricity system till 2029. It should be noted that Moneypoint and TEG units are out-of-market generators, and are only used if and when required to support security of supply.
 
Commenting on the report, Minister O’Brien said:
 
“The Winter Outlook shows that the national electricity system will operate within the level of risk that is set by the Department. This, in turn, means that there is a very low probability of the system entering a state of emergency due to insufficient generation being available to meet demand. The Winter Outlook risk metric would be 14 times higher than the level set as acceptable by the Department if those additional generation units had not been delivered by the programme, showing the key value of actions by my Department, EirGrid and CRU over the last few years – to secure Ireland’s generation capacity.
 
“Separate to generation capacity at a national level, there is a range of actions being delivered by ESB Networks as part of its Winter Resilience Plan, to ensure that the resilience of our grid is improved in vulnerable locations to storm damage. The significant  impact of recent storms highlights the need for greater investment to ensure our electricity network is resilient to adverse weather events. The National Development Plan will provide for the provision of up to €3.5 billion in additional equity to support an unprecedented investment in electricity grid infrastructure over the period from 2026 to 2030. Investment in our electricity grid to update our power generation systems – to enhance energy security and long-term affordability for consumers and businesses – is a priority for me, and for this Government as a whole.”