Paschal Donohoe
Question:32. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Luas cross-city project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15030/13]
View answerPublic Transport Subsidies
Questions (32, 64)
Eamonn Maloney
Question:64. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the link up between the red and green lines of the Luas tram system will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15239/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 64 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the proposed Luas Cross City Line.
Luas Cross City Line has been prioritised in the Government's 5-year capital plan - Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework and following consideration by Government of the project’s updated business plan last November, I asked the NTA and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with the procurement and contractual arrangements so that the enabling works for the project would commence mid - 2013 at the latest.
I understand that work has already commenced on building condition surveys which will establish a baseline record of the condition of properties along the Luas Cross City Line. The procurement process for the advance works i.e. Heritage Works, Cellar Investigation and Utility Diversions is also well advanced. The first of these contracts - the Heritage Works contract - will be awarded very shortly.
The main construction works for the project are expected to commence in 2015. Construction is expected to take 4 years and the overall programme for the project envisages the commencement of operational services on the line in 2017.
Question No. 33 answered with Question No. 27.
Transport Strategy
Questions (34)
Billy Kelleher
Question: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 answerWritten answers
Whilst 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.
Harbour Authorities Expenditure
Questions (35)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:35. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 19 February 2013, if the legal proceedings referred to have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15297/13]
View answerWritten answers
They relate to a payment to a former board member of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company.
As I stated previously on 19 February, the payment of expenses to directors is a matter for the Company in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance for State Bodies.
I am advised that the legal proceedings referred to are ongoing. As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to comment any further.