Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
698. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied there will be an appropriate level of modal choice in terms of public transport options for the public following the merger of the Railway Procurement Agency and the National Roads Authority; and the way the new merged body will continue to promote light rail projects. [16087/14]
View answerThe legislative vehicle being used to merge the RPA into the NRA (Roads Bill 2014) does not diminish or change the functions of the RPA in any way. The new NRA/RPA merged entity will retain all the existing functions of both bodies. Funding allocations and work programmes will be based on the priorities set out in the relevant capital plans, currently the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework.
The new merged body will continue to undertake public transport infrastructure projects, including light rail projects such as Luas Cross City, on receipt of direction from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to perform delivery functions on its behalf in the Greater Dublin Area, and it will receive funding from the NTA in respect of those projects.
In relation to roads the new body will remain as the Sanctioning Authority for national roads and will receive funding directly from my Department for this.
The benefits arising from the sharing of expertise within the new organisation will strengthen its capacity to interact with central government, local government and other relevant agencies, such as NTA, in formulating strategic plans and delivering key transport infrastructure projects.
