Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 October 2014
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he hopes to receive a fully co-ordinated and integrated transport sector to meet the needs of road, rail, air and sea traffic with particular reference to meeting the needs of passengers and ensuring minimum delays and cost effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37370/14]
View answerMy Department and I constantly monitor our national transport facilities to ensure that, given the resources available, they are achieving their greatest potential. An integrated and co-ordinated transport system is an important consideration when it comes to future decisions on transport investment. In making decisions as to future expenditure, my Department has been active to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is taken and that we do not look at land, maritime or aviation transport in isolation from each other. In previous times, this was a legitimate criticism of transport investment but I believe that, in recent years, this has been addressed.
At a European level, my Department continues to actively engage with the Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T) and to ensure it is integrated into Irish transport policy-making. The TEN-T regulations set out a multi-modal transport network across the European Union and aim to ensure integration between the various modes. This multi-modal EU policy is supported by domestic policy such as the new National Ports Policy launched by my predecessor, Minister Varadkar, in March 2013. For example, the National Ports Policy's designation of Shannon-Foynes, Dublin and Cork as Ports of National Significance (Tier One) and Rosslare Europort and Waterford as Ports of National Significance (Tier Two) mirror the TEN-T designations of these ports as Core and Comprehensive ports on the TEN-T network. These designations are then taken into account by the National Transport Authority and the National Roads Authority when decisions are being made in terms of future planning.
Other policy work is ongoing in my Department and I expect to publish two significant new transport policy papers before the end of 2014. An aviation policy is now approaching completion while, in relation to land transport, a draft strategic framework for investment in land transport has been published and is out for public consultation until mid-October. Both the framework for investment and the aviation policy will help clarify transport priorities and will help to ensure that there is appropriate co-ordination and integration between modes. In a similar vein, the National Transport Authority have a statutory remit to develop an integrated transport plan for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and they are currently in the process of completing their implementation plan for transport investment in the GDA for the period to 2018.
A new Statement of Strategy for my Department is currently being drafted which will also include the issue of a co-ordinated and integrated transport sector. This must be submitted to the Minister within six months of his appointment.
