Central

• Transport policy and legislation;
• Setting the legal framework for provision, funding and maintenance of roads;
• Road and public transport infrastructures;
• Management of state-owned airports (Dublin, Cork, Shannon);
• Maritime transport policy and Irish Coast Guard policy;
• Railway and public bus services (hitherto, state monopoly);
• Supervision of the implementation of aspects of transport policy which are entrusted to a range of state-sponsored bodies and agencies (Department of Transport).

National Transport Authority (NTA):

• Procuring public transport services by means of public transport services contracts;
• Licensing bus routes;
• Entering into contracts for the provision of public transport services;
• Providing funding for specified bus and rail travel services that are considered necessary for economic or social reasons;
• Regulating the small public service vehicle sector;
• Developing an integrated public transport network;
• Implementing integrated ticketing, fares and information schemes;
• Provide bus infrastructure and fleet and cycling facilities and schemes;
• Developing and implementing a single public transport brand;
• Collecting statistical data and information on transport;
• Enforcing EU passenger rights in rail, maritime and bus and coach transport;
• Validate EU authorisations and journey forms in relation to bus and coach travel in accordance with EU Regulation No. 1073/2009; and
• Operate as the national conciliation body for electronic toll service providers.

National Transport Authority (set up under 2009 statute in the Greater Dublin Area)

• Undertaking strategic planning of transport;

• Investing in all public transport infrastructure;

• Developing the effective management of traffic and transport demand;

• In addition to its statutory functions, the Authority also undertakes a number of functions on behalf of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on a non-statutory basis. The non-statutory functions include:

• Planning and funding of sustainable transport projects in the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford;
• Administration of the Smarter Travel Workplaces programme;
• Management of the Green Schools Travel programme; and
• Provision of accessibility funding to transport operators and other relevant bodies.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

National Transport Authority

Regional

• The coordination of transport networks on their own territory;
• Supporting the delivery of the national level travel policies, including those of the NTA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and regional and sub-regional policies and projects.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Regional Assemblies

Local

• The coordination of transport networks on their own territory; local authorities will prepare annual transport plans for their area;
• The provision, maintenance, management, preservation or restoration of land, structures of any kind or facilities (in the framework of the promotion of interests of local communities);
• Improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads;
• Supporting the delivery of the Government's sustainable travel policy 'SmarterTravel' at national and local level (responsibility of the Local Authority Network, which was established on 14 July 2009[1]).

The Network is comprised of a nominated official from each Local Authority and members of the National Sustainable Travel Office of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It meets three times a year with meetings of subgroups taking place throughout the year.

Responsible ministries/bodies

City and county council

Sources:

Constitution of Ireland – BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN

Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014 (SI 573 of 2014).

Local Government Act, 2001, Number 37 of 2001 (as amended to 2016)

Public Service Information – Citizens Information

The Irish Regions – Brussels Office Website

National Transport Authority

[1] The Local Authority Network provides for structured liaison between central and local government to ensure that sustainable travel policy is delivered consistently and in accordance with best international practice at local level in Ireland.