Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining public transport investment priorities in the period ahead.

All of the public transport projects currently under construction will continue on schedule and some, such as the Cork-Midleton line, phase 1 of the western rail corridor and the Luas extension to the docklands, will be completed in 2009. Other public transport projects due to start shortly include Citywest Luas line, the Navan rail line and Dublin city centre resignalling.

The adjustment in capital funding for public transport investment will not have a significant effect on the roll out of the Transport 21 public transport programme and will not result in the postponement of the start of construction of any public transport project next year. The start and completion dates of public transport projects which have not yet commenced will be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. The commencement dates for these projects will also be influenced by the time taken for public consultation, the relevant statutory process and the procurement and contract award processes.

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