Mr. Hugh Creegan:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the members for the invitation to appear before the committee today. I understand the committee wishes to discuss the NTA's role as the approving authority for public transport projects, including those set out in the current national development plan. To assist me in dealing with questions that may arise during the meeting, I am joined by Eoin Gillard, assistant director, transport investment.

One of the core functions of the National Transport Authority under its parent Act, the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, is “to secure the ... provision of public transport infrastructure”. In undertaking this role, the NTA is required to achieve that provision, as far as possible, through Irish Rail in the case of heavy rail infrastructure and through Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the case of light rail and metro. The NTA acts as the approving authority for most public transport projects, with a small number of rail projects outside of the greater Dublin area falling outside of our statutory remit. In relation to the very large megaprojects, we act as the day-to-day approving authority for the DART+ programme, the BusConnects programme and MetroLink.

The approving authority role is set out in the Government’s infrastructure guidelines and is predominately to provide oversight of the delivery of a project, making key decisions on the project’s progression and monitoring the overall implementation of the relevant scheme. In undertaking its role as approving authority, the NTA has developed project approval guidelines, dividing the project life cycle into seven phases, setting out key decision points across those phases and establishing the relevant documentation to be provided in each case. The NTA has also developed cost management guidelines to assist implementing bodies with the development of appropriate scheme budgets in line with the requirements of the Government’s infrastructure guidelines and the NTA’s own project approval guidelines. Various other tools and systems have been developed to support the effective delivery of transport projects and ensure the fulfilment of the NTA’s role as approving authority for those schemes. In the interests of brevity, I have included an appendix providing information on a variety of ongoing projects being managed under the NTA’s capital programme. Further detail can be provided on any item as required. That concludes my opening remarks and I welcome any questions members of the committee may have.