Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
53 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to ensure that all public transport targets contained in the NDP for the BMW region are reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32038/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the national development plan, €206 million was invested directly in public transport projects in the BMW region between 2000 and 2003. Further expenditure in the region is resulting in continuous improvements to bus and rail services there. For example, all railway track in the region has been upgraded to continuous welded rail on concrete sleepers, the resignalling of the Galway-Dublin line has been completed, the Sligo-Dublin line is on target for completion in 2005 and the resignalling of the Ballina and Westport lines will be completed in 2007. All rail lines in the region will have been resignalled by that time. When new rolling stock is introduced late next year to replace Iarnród Éireann's old rolling stock and to expand the fleet, customers will see additional improvements in services in the BMW region. Expenditure on certain projects, such as the diesel rail depot at Drogheda, upgrading and improvements at Heuston Station and large investment in new rolling stock, has huge benefits for the region, such as additional capacity, shorter journey times and improved quality of service. The Department of Transport is developing a ten-year investment programme for transport, in consultation with the relevant agencies. The programme will take account of the public transport needs of all regions and will have regard to the regional planning guidelines which were recently approved.
I am sure the Minister is aware that the mid-term review of the national development plan revealed that there had been an under-spend on public transport of approximately €230 million in the BMW region. Just 43% of the allocated moneys had been spent. Can the Minister promise that specific targets, for example in respect of Iarnród Éireann projects, will be met? Will he give a commitment that the money agreed under the national development plan will be spent before 2006? Is there a commitment to meet the full target?
There certainly is such a commitment. When the programme has been completed, I expect that we will have spent the moneys we said at the outset we would spend. The under-spend that arises from time to time does not necessarily arise from a failure to make the necessary money available. The resources have been made available, but planning and development problems have arisen. I am conscious that I am not just the Minister for Dublin — there are real issues in the BMW region and the rest of the country. The ten-year envelope will allow us to examine all parts of the country. Deputy Olivia Mitchell is probably aware that Iarnród Éireann and other companies have submitted proposals for new and refurbished railway links, some of which are in the BMW region. I am anxious to bring the feasibility studies on some of the proposed lines to a conclusion. If we can proceed with such developments, we should do so. I expect to be able to spend the entire envelope.
Perhaps I am not making the point I want to make. It is now the end of 2004 — the national development plan will draw to a close in 2006. The Minister said that Iarnród Éireann has submitted proposals. I have asked if projects have been agreed, planned and funded. Will such projects be completed, or at least be well under way, by the end of 2006?
Projects have been——
Can the Minister provide details of the projects?
I do not have any details of the many projects in front of me. I can give a copy of the programme to the Deputy. That is not an issue.
I thank the Minister. I would appreciate that.
There is no problem with that.
