Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all the words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

" — welcomes the sustained commitment of the Government under Transport 21 and earlier transport investment programmes to upgrading transport infrastructure and services and the good results obtained from this investment including reduced journey times for road passenger and freight traffic and more, higher quality public transport services;

— welcomes in particular the completion of major road and public transport projects including the completion of two light rail lines in Dublin; the transformation of the Irish Rail rolling stock fleet with the acquisition of modern train sets; and the transformation of the national road infrastructure, particularly the progress being made towards the completion of the motorway network on the major interurban routes;

— commends the comprehensive arrangements in place for appraising, approving and monitoring transport projects under Transport 21 which includes publication of detailed information in an annual report and a dedicated website;

— notes the positive assessments of the Value for Money reviews completed on the annual subvention paid to CIÉ (2006) and on the 2nd Railway Safety Investment Programme (2008);

— notes that a cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann was completed in early 2009 and is being implemented;

— further notes the comprehensive arrangements in place as required by their establishing legislation and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies to ensure the accountability of the NRA and CIÉ to Government and the Oireachtas including requirements relating to annual reports and accounts, half-yearly accounts, and certification of compliance with requirements of Code of Practice; and

— acknowledges that both the NRA and CIÉ appear regularly before the relevant Oireachtas Committee to account for the discharge of their functions."

I propose to share time with Deputy Michael McGrath.

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