Ms Anne Graham:

Yes, that will be included as part of any preliminary business case, either when a strategic assessment is being done or moving into a preliminary business case. But that is more of a later stage in the development of a project. In terms of what we will be putting forward, from our point of view we want to see projects that are going to give the greatest return for the State in terms of cost versus benefits. That would include carbon emissions benefits as well. It is not just focusing on Dublin but also on the regional cities and rural towns as well.

Our responsibility in terms of rail infrastructure is only around the greater Dublin area. We have no responsibility for any improvements to rail infrastructure beyond that area. As the Deputy is aware, we are looking at the Navan rail line as part of the review of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. That work has commenced with AECOM. In terms of putting forward a delivery, what we would like to do is achieve all the transport strategies and all the projects outlined in them for the various areas, but in terms of prioritisation it is really about getting the best return. I refer to what gives the best coverage in terms of public transport networks for the least amount of money in the shortest possible time, or within the time period of the NTP. That is as much as we can say at this stage in terms of the projects.