There is one EU legislative proposal for consideration. COM (2011) 650 is a proposal to revise the guidelines on trans-European networks for transport. The proposed regulation sets out an ambitious vision for Europe's transport network. The revised guidelines aim to manage the transport infrastructure and guide the development of the network. The ultimate aim is to transform the patchwork of European roads, railways, airports and canals into a unified transport network which will be known as TEN-T. The TEN-T will consist of two layers, a core network to be completed by 2030 and a comprehensive network feeding into the core which is to be completed by 2050. The core network will connect 83 main European ports with rail and road links, 37 key airports with rail connections into major cities, 15,000 km of railway line upgraded to high speeds and 35 cross-border projects to reduce bottlenecks. Ireland has a keen interest in the development of the TEN-T policy to ensure effective interconnection with the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. This is a key component of our recovery given the overall benefits for Ireland in having excellent connections with mainland Europe, our strongest trading partner and source of tourism.
Members will recall we discussed this proposal with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport recently when he highlighted some concerns with what is proposed. While welcoming the objectives set by the guidelines and noting the benefits of smooth trans-European transport networks, the Minister and the Department's information note highlighted concerns with regard to some aspects of what is proposed, in particular, regarding the technical specifications being sought over the period in question and the governance structures being proposed to manage delivery. This may be a subsidiarity issue for the joint committee to consider and it is proposed that the proposal warrants further scrutiny. It is also proposed to invite a representative of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the meeting of the joint committee to be held, if possible, on 10 January 2012 to expand further on possible concerns regarding the level of technical specifications being sought and governance structures being imposed to manage the delivery of the core network corridors. Is that agreed? Agreed.
I propose we suspend the meeting to allow the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, and his officials to take their seats, after which we will recommence in public session to consider the Government's climate change policy and forthcoming European Environmental Council meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.