Skip to main content
Normal View

Trans European Transport Network Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2019

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Questions (210, 211)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

210. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Ireland did not apply for the revision of the TEN-T core network including applying for the reinstatement of the cross-Border Western Arc in the first three months as promised in A Programme for A Partnership Government almost three years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8639/19]

View answer

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

211. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Western Arc route is being excluded from the TEN-T core network in order to ensure funding is available for the development of the Dublin metro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8640/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

The TEN-T Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 stipulates that a review of the TEN-T network will take place no later than by the end of 2023. My Department will be making a formal submission within the next 2 months to the European Commission calling for an early review of the TEN-T Network, taking into account our National Development Plan, our National Planning Framework, and the potential implications of Brexit.

My Department have previously informed the European Commission of the intention of the Minister to make a submission and, in recent weeks, it has also raised the matter of an early review of the TEN-T Network in Brussels at the relevant Working Party.

The TEN-T Regulation explicitly states that the European Commission should take into account national implementation plans when carrying out the review of the TEN-T Network. In Ireland's case, these would include both the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework. Both of these Government documents will shape the future development of Irish planning and infrastructure across a range of sectors, including transport.

Additionally, the UK's Withdrawal from the EU has been an evolving process over the last number of years, both in terms of the negotiations between the EU and the UK and in terms of contingency planning for a range of possible Brexit scenarios, which has been a whole-of-government effort coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The preparation and making of a submission calling for a review of the TEN-T network should be strengthened by the proposals under the NDP and the National Planning Framework and by the added urgency of the implications of Brexit. However, the fact that a submission has not yet been made has no relationship to the development of the Dublin Metro.

It is important to note that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the funding instrument of TEN-T, awards co-funding to eligible project proposals on a competitive basis. A strong business case must be made, including a cost-benefit analysis, which demonstrates high European added value and, crucially, a committed funding source for the balance of the project's funding.

As part of the European Commission's contingency plans for Brexit, it is seeking to introdude a new Regulation with regard to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union in the event of a no-deal scenario. If adopted, the effect of this will be to reallign the NSMED Corridor to take account of the UK's exit from TEN-T. As part of this measure, supported by Ireland, it is proposed that a review the TEN-T Guidelines should be advanced to 2021 instead of 2023 as a result of posible changes in the flow of goods after Brexit.

A proposal for a new Regulation for CEF - the funding mechanism for TEN-T from 2021 - is also currently under consideration. In the latest draft, the Commission has accepted Ireland's proposal, made jointly with Malta and Cyprus, that funding be provided for infrastructure on the Comprehensive Network in Member States where there is no land border with another EU Member State. If this is maintained as part of the final agreed Regulation, it will mean that organisations will continue to be eligible to apply for funding for suitable projects on the coming within the application criteria after 2020.

Top
Share