Transport Strategy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2005

Wednesday, 22 June 2005

Questions (49, 50, 51, 52)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

49 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the overall transport budget he expects to be able to allocate in the new ten-year transport investment plan. [21103/05]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

75 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to finalise and announce the ten-year transport package. [21230/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

79 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in the publication of his ten-year transport strategy; if this strategy has been considered by Cabinet; when he will announce this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21221/05]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

193 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport when his ten-year transport infrastructure plan will be announced; the reason for the undue delay in its publication; the criteria being used by him and his officials to determine the specific projects to proceed with under this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21509/05]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 75, 79 and 193 together.

I refer to my reply to parliamentary question reference number 21561/05 of today's date. I do not accept that there has been any delay in publishing the plan. An outline of the draft transport investment framework is currently under active consideration by the Cabinet committee on infrastructure, housing and PPPs. When the committee has concluded its consideration I will bring my proposals to Government as quickly as possible.

The transport investment framework will build on the work already completed under the transport element of the NDP. It will also take account of the work already done on investment priorities under the current capital envelope to end 2009 and of the various strategic studies already completed by my Department and its agencies, including A Platform for Change, the strategic rail review and the national road needs study. More specifically, my Department has engaged with Córas Iompair Éireann, the Railway Procurement Agency, the National Roads Authority and the Dublin Transportation Office in order to identify the broad direction and priorities under the investment framework.

It is a fundamental requirement that in so doing we propose an integrated solution to the transport challenges facing us and not merely a sectoral response.

It is not possible to outline the specifics of the draft framework or the level of funding to be made available pending the completion of its consideration by the Cabinet committee and a decision by the Government. However, the broad direction of the framework is expected to be along the following lines: completion of the major inter-urban motorways by 2010 and the upgrading of the rest of the national road network over the period of the framework; transformation of the transport system in the greater Dublin area, with a particular focus on the public transport network; completion of the renewal of the national rail network, with a major focus on the provision of enhanced services; upgrading of the public transport services in provincial cities and in the regions; addressing the management of the demand for transport; ensuring the accessibility of the public transport system to people with disabilities; and mainstreaming the rural transport initiative into the transport investment programme.