30 Jan 2012, 14:36
The Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht has expressed concerns on some aspects of the EU Commission’s proposal on guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network.
While the Committee welcomed the overall objectives of the proposal which is aimed at ensuring better, smarter and more sustainable transport systems across the EU, it has strong concerns regarding the governance structures designed to ensure delivery of the objectives that are included in the proposal. It is specifically concerned at the degree to which the Regulation would impose requirements on Ireland and other Member State’s transport networks and investment decisions over and above what might be necessary.
The Committee acknowledges the Commission’s initiatives to reduce administrative burdens but would like to see this principle more to the fore in this proposal.
Committee Chairman, Ciaran Lynch, TD, said: “An excellent transport connection with mainland Europe is vital for Ireland given its important as a trading partner and source market for tourism. However these ideal long term objectives need to be balanced with the practical implications of the current difficult economic climate. In the current climate it is essential to avoid unnecessary administrative burdens on Member States and commercial stakeholders.
The Committee understands that a number of other Member States have raised concerns in this regard in particular that the regulation may result in infringement proceedings against Member States for non-compliance or delays in carrying out works.”
As regards the specifications set out in the Regulation, the Joint Committee said that a one size fits all approach is not the optimum one given the diversity of transport infrastructures and national requirements that exists across the EU.
“In Ireland’s case the level of specification envisaged for transport networks may be unsuited to Ireland’s isolated transport network and disproportionate to the level of traffic flows across it. This is particularly true for the rail network where the Commission’s focus is on improving interoperability and developing higher speed rail links across Europe,” said Deputy Lynch.
The Joint Committee believes that there is a clear case for a calibrated approach to regulating in this area which takes account of the specific nature of Member States’ transport infrastructure and projected traffic volumes on the Network in more peripheral parts of that Network.
“We look forward to receiving the Commission’s response to our observations and hope that our recommendations can be taken into account. We also intend to directly contact our counterparts in other national parliaments to share our views on this matter,” concluded Deputy Lynch.
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies:
Ciarán Lynch, Labour Party (Chairman)
Noel Coonan, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Paudie Coffey, Fine Gael
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael
Tony McLoughlin, Fine Gael
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Kevin Humphreys, Labour Party
Gerald Nash, Labour Party
Seán Kenny, Labour Party
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Niall Collins, Fianna Fáil
Sandra McLellan, Sinn Féin
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin
Clare Daly, Socialist Party
Catherine Murphy, Independent
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Independent
Senators:
Cáit Keane, Fine Gael
Catherine Noone, Fine Gael
Denis Landy, Labour
Labhrás Ó’Murchú, Fianna Fáil
Ned O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
Eamonn Coghlan, Independent