Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport and the national roads programme. The Government has announced the preparation of a new capital investment framework for these projects for the period from 2012. This will involve a review of all capital programmes and projects to establish a set of priorities that will contribute to economic recovery. The results will be published as a new national development plan for the period 2012-2016.

The preparation of the new framework requires that my Department review all existing projects and programmes. The review which involves consultation with relevant agencies will take account of new funding realities. A major priority will be to ensure funding to protect and maintain existing investment and maintain high safety standards. This of necessity will restrict the funding for new projects with only those offering the highest return having any prospect of being prioritised. The development of phase 2 of the western rail corridor will be considered as part of the overall capital review.

The main part of the Galway outer bypass scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2008 but cannot proceed as this approval was the subject of judicial review proceedings which have culminated with a referral by the Supreme Court to the European Court of Justice of the question of the correct interpretation of Article 6(3) of the habitats directive and of Regulation 30 of the Habitats Regulations 1997.

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