Vol. 555 No. 3
131 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to introduce legislation, as indicated in the programme for government, to establish a new greater Dublin land use and transport authority; the proposed relationship between the new body and the local authorities in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18235/02]
The Government, in April of last year, published a consultation paper on institutional arrangements for land use and transport planning in the greater Dublin area. The consultation paper proposed that a new greater Dublin land use and transport planning body be established, which would have responsibility for strategic regional land use and transport planning and have statutory powers to supervise and ensure implementation of strategies and programmes by all implementing agencies. The consultation document had envisaged that it would also act as a public transport regulator for the greater Dublin area, and be responsible for the allocation of funding to implementing agencies, including local authorities.
The consultation paper indicated that local authorities would continue to be responsible for preparation and adoption of local development plans and making decisions on individual planning applications and the implementation of transport infrastructure projects within their remit. The paper also proposed that the new body would have powers similar to those available to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 to ensure compliance with the regional land use and transport plan. During the consultation period, a total of 57 submissions were received by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Work is proceeding in the Department on the preparation of legislation taking into consideration the views expressed during the consultation process. Since coming to office, I have been reviewing the proposed legislation and I hope to be able to conclude these considerations without delay.
Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 80.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 104.
Question No. 134 answered with Question No. 83.
