Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of questions. I am disappointed to hear that one of the reasons there is a carry-over was an underspend on improvement to our cycle infrastructure. That is critically important infrastructure. In the past week, three cyclists lost their lives on our roads. We talk about sustainable public transport and one of the most sustainable methods is cycling, particularly in large, high-density urban areas such as the city of Dublin. Why was that allowed to happen?

On roads funding, I understand the total gross allocation for land transport sees a small decrease of 0.6% overall. How will the Minister be able to bridge the gap he referred to in his overview of the Department's allocation? We are spending approximately 50% of what we need to spend to keep our existing road infrastructure in a steady state of repair. How does the Minister intend to do that if the overall allocation to this heading is reduced?

On the public service obligation, an issue we spoke at length in our previous session, the Minister has increased the public service obligation this year. My question is about the way that obligation is paid out to the various bodies. How is it calculated in terms of what Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail get? Could the Minister identify, in terms of per head of person using the service, how the public service obligation for Bus Éireann compares with Dublin Bus?

On the area of investment in road infrastructure, on entering Government the Minster's grouping promised the restoration of the local improvement schemes, LIS, to local councils. Unfortunately, that was not reintroduced in the budget. When does the Minister believe he will be in a position to honour that commitment?

I take exception to one of the Minister's lines in the overview of the departmental budget for 2017. He referred to addressing bottle necks and key congestion points in urban areas, particularly in the greater Dublin area, the capital. I met a person on Tuesday morning who is a substantial employer in the city of Galway, employing in the region of 1,000 people, but who is withholding any further investment in the person's premises because of the level of congestion in the city of Galway. We have congestion problems in Dublin, Galway and many of the larger urban areas across the country. Have the Minister's departmental officials had negotiations with the Commissioner for Transport at European level in order to avail of funding under the Juncker plan? My understanding is a substantial level of funding is available to invest in critical infrastructural projects at extremely favourable interest rates. I would be interested to hear what the Minister and his officials are doing to avail of that funding to invest in critical infrastructural improvements that are needed to relieve congestion and support development and growth in our larger urban areas.