Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 April 2015
12. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent rise in rail transport use here, if he is satisfied that the provisions laid out in his Department’s document, Investing in Our Transport Future: A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport, adequately address the need for improved and more affordable rail across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16524/15]
View answerThe draft Framework "Investing in Our Transport Future: A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport" was published for public and stakeholder consultation in August last. Having considered the submissions made, my Department has finalised the report and I plan to publish the revised final report soon.
The Framework concludes that the key challenge with regard to investment in land transport is securing investment levels consistent with maintaining, renewing and improving a transport network that can efficiently support the economic and social needs of the country. Exchequer investment for land transport capital expenditure has fallen from a peak of €3 billion (1.6% of GDP) in 2008 to an historic low level of €850 million (0.5% of GDP in 2014). The long run average of land transport capital formation in Ireland stands at 1.13% of GDP. The International Transport Forum has reported that 2011 OECD average investment levels in land transport were estimated to stand at 1%. This suggests that funding levels of recent years are much lower than the OECD average.
Furthermore, based on conservative population projections, the Framework estimates that commuting trips are expected to increase by 35% over current levels by 2040-implying at a minimum 650,000 additional daily trips to and from work, expected to arise largely on corridors to and within the principal cities. Without investment to cater for this demand, our main urban centres will become severely congested which will inevitably act as a barrier to economic growth. Recent experience has shown that the right transport projects provide a good return on investment. Detailed economic appraisal of projects is therefore essential to ensure that public money is being put to its most productive use.
As shown by the Framework, investment levels are not now, nor have they been over recent years, even sufficient to maintain the land transport network in its current state. In that context, the role of rail in meeting transport demand and the cost of maintaining the rail network in its current state was considered. The Framework recommends the development of a new rail policy. Both I and the Steering Group that developed the Framework considered that a new policy needs to have regard to social and environmental considerations uniquely addressed by rail, as well as the economic and investment context established in the Framework. My Department is working with the NTA to progress this proposal. I envisage that a public consultation process will take place in the coming weeks on the current and future role of rail in Ireland. I expect the process to focus on issues such as current usage, transport needs, competition from other modes, wider associated benefits and financial constraints. A key component of new policy will be a focus on where rail's greatest strengths lie. All of these issues will have to be taken into account in formulating our new rail policy.
