Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

My Department and I keep in regular and ongoing contact with the various transport agencies on matters relevant to general transport policy.

Transport 21 is the Government's multi-billion euro integrated investment programme, which provides for investment in our national roads and public transport network. The objectives of the programme include improved accessibility, sustainability, capacity, safety and integration.

A large part of the programme has already been delivered, including over recent months the extension of the LUAS line to Cherrywood, the new Dunboyne rail service to Dublin, and the completion last month of the final section of the inter-urban motorway network.

The inter-urban network has greatly enhanced the journey times and connectivity between Dublin and the provincial cities, and has enhanced the safety of road users generally. In addition, the integrated vision for a sustainable transport future for Ireland by 2020 was set out in the Government's smarter travel policy document. Progress reports on the implementation of smarter travel can be accessed from my Department's website.

In December 2009, I established the National Transport Authority which provided the integrated institutional framework to underpin the development of all public transport road and rail services. The authority has been given responsibility for the development of an integrated transport system within the greater Dublin area. The principal functions include: strategic planning of transport; development of an integrated, accessible public transport network; promoting cycling and walking; provision of public transport infrastructure generally, including light rail, metro and heavy rail; and effective management of traffic and transport demand.

I understand from the authority that work is well under way in preparing a new transport strategy for the greater Dublin area for the period to 2030.

At national level, the NTA has responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger land transport services. That includes the provision of subvented bus and rail services by Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail. The authority also has responsibility for the provision of integrated transport schemes in the regional cities and the contiguous areas surrounding these cities.

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