Ms Anne Graham:

I thank members for the invitation to attend. I understand that the committee wishes to focus upon the draft transport strategy for the greater Dublin area, GDA. To assist me in dealing with members' subsequent questions I am joined by Hugh Creegan, deputy CEO with the authority. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the NTA must review its transport strategy every six years. Arising from the review of the 2016 plan, an updated strategy has been developed which sets out the framework for investment in transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades to 2042. This Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 replaces the previous framework, titled the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which was approved by the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2016.

That prior transport strategy set out to contribute to the economic, social and cultural progress of the GDA by providing for the efficient, effective and sustainable movement of people and goods. It did that by providing a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA. It has also provided a transport planning policy around which other agencies involved in land use planning, environmental protection, and delivery of other infrastructure could align their investment priorities. It has been an essential component, along with investment programmes in other sectors, for the development of the GDA, which covers the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. Major projects provided for in the original strategy, which are at different stages of delivery included: Luas cross city; the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel rail line; the ongoing roll-out of cycle tracks and greenways; Metrolink; the DART+ programme; and investment in bus priority and bus service improvements, BusConnects Dublin. Any transport strategy will always be part of a larger picture of overall national policies that work towards a single set of overall objectives. To a large extent, policies and objectives around issues such as land use, development, population distribution, investment, sustainability and climate action, for example, are determined by other State agencies and authorities, but must be fully reflected in any transport strategy. As such, this transport strategy has been developed to be consistent with the spatial planning policies and objectives set out in the regional spatial and economic strategy, RSES, as adopted by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, and finalised in January 2020. These objectives, in turn, are consistent with the national planning framework and the national development plan, as set out in Project Ireland 2040.

In developing the draft strategy the NTA established a number of committees that guided us during the development. These included the public representatives’ advisory committee, which comprised 18 councillors across the region, including the mayor or chairperson of each of the seven county councils; the chairperson of each strategic policy committee for transport in each of the county councils; and four additional councillors representing the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly. Over 20 detailed studies were completed to support the development of the draft transport strategy, all of which were published as part of the public consultation. The draft transport strategy seeks to address all aspects of land-based transport within the greater Dublin area and sets out a variety of actions covering: planning for sustainable transport; integration and inclusion; walking, accessibility and public realm; cycling and personal mobility vehicles; public transport, including bus, Luas, metro and heavy rail; roads; traffic management and travel options; freight, delivery and servicing; and climate action management. The main changes in the current draft compared with the previous strategy are: the new rail line to Navan; additional rail stations; design of additional Luas lines if demand increases for delivery post-2042; and removal of the eastern bypass.

There is now a legislative requirement that public bodies must take account of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 in the performance of their functions. Specifically in relation to greenhouse gas emissions, the Act requires a total reduction of 51% in such emissions over the period to 2030, relative to a baseline of 2018. This is a significant and challenging target, which will require fundamental changes in transport over the next decade. Central to those changes will be the need to increase the proportion of travel by sustainable modes and reduce the level of usage of petrol and diesel powered vehicles. While in overall terms, meeting climate targets will be challenging for transport, the picture for urban public transport is different. The NTA and our contracted operators are already actively transitioning to low and zero emissions fleet with 280 plug-in battery electric hybrid double-decker buses now available for operation in Dublin, Limerick and Galway and the first plug-in battery electric zero emission double-decker bus is being delivered late this year. Bus Éireann is trialling three double deck hydrogen-fuelled zero emission buses on its Dublin commuter services. Iarnród Éireann has also placed the first order of battery electric DART fleet as part of the electrification of the commuter rail services under the DART+ programme.

While the provision of new and additional transport infrastructure and transport services will encourage and deliver increased movement by sustainable modes, such provision will be insufficient on its own to achieve the level of emissions reduction required by 2030. Accordingly, additional demand management measures will need to be put in place to complement the additional transport provision, which is likely to include parking restraint; zonal charging; additional tolling; and road pricing and further vehicle electrification, or both. The public consultation on the draft transport strategy has been completed. The NTA received over 1,000 submissions. This compares with a total of 155 submissions received during the preparation of the 2016 strategy. The authority has assessed those submissions and is finalising the revised draft to submit for approval to the Minister for Transport. That concludes my introductory statement. I trust that I can answer any queries that arise.