Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
34. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to develop a land transport, road and rail, strategic investment framework to facilitate easy access to markets and the mobility of the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15253/13]
View answerWhilst current funding constraints clearly limit the potential for significant capital investment in transport, it is essential that we remain conscious that the efficient movement of people and goods is central to the functioning of our economy. A transport system that supports and enhances both domestic and export driven growth will be vital in supporting our agenda of renewed and sustainable economic growth. With this in mind my Department have commenced work on a Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport.
This work is aimed at supporting medium term considerations by Government around the appropriate levels of public expenditure on land transport, and priorities for future investment. This will serve to inform the preparation of the Government’s Capital programme for 2017-2021 as well as longer term priorities for land transport in Ireland.
The issues that need to be addressed in such a framework are extremely complex, for example, the difficulty of projecting the scale of future transport demand, the importance of land use and planning policy for transport, the specific importance of freight and commercial movements to our economy, and the need to embed environmental sustainability in any such plan.
The work will comprise four broad work areas (i) analysing the evidence base for economic and socio-economic impacts of transport investment (ii) considering the scale of necessary future investment in transport (iii) considering delivery models and (iv) identifying strategic priorities. A steering group has been put in place to guide this work. It is likely the framework will take at least 18 months to complete. A public consultation will take place when sufficient progress is made to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are fully taken into account.
