Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
614. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason in the recent document, Investing in Our Transport Future: A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport, the role of rail has been given such a low priority, particularly in view of the fact that rail is universally considered to be a low-carbon alternative to road transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3938/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft Framework “Investing in Our Transport Future” was published for public consultation in August last. Having considered the submissions made, my Department is in the process of finalising a consultation report and resulting revisions that are proposed to the draft Framework.
Key areas considered included the link between economic growth and transport investment, current investment levels vis-à-vis past levels and international norms, the funding necessary to keep existing land transport infrastructure at its current standard and the likely scale, nature and impact of transport demand on our network in the medium to long term along with an assessment of transport and demographic trends.
A set of principles was proposed to frame and prioritise land transport investment decisions, identifying key corridors and economic drivers for investment rather than mode specific projects. However, the role that investment in public transport can play in reducing emissions, particularly in urban areas, is highlighted in the draft Framework.
The draft 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.
At the end of 2014 I brought forward a Supplementary Estimate which included additional new funding in the public transport capital investment programme of €101 million which along with maintaining the level of current PSO funding will ensure that the existing network can be maintained.
Furthermore, the draft Framework recommends the development of a new rail policy, intended to have regard to social and environmental considerations uniquely addressed by the rail network in addition to the economic and investment context already established in the report. I propose to address that recommendation over the coming months, beginning with a further consultation process on the role of rail in meeting our future transport needs.
