Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The trans-European transport network, TEN-T, is a Europe-wide network of roads, rail lines, ports, airports and rail-road terminals throughout the 28 EU member states. It comprises the comprehensive network and a subset called the core network. The core network is required to be completed by 2030. It is the most strategic part of this European transport network, with the objective of TEN-T being to address the most strategic aspects of the comprehensive network with the highest European added value, in particular cross-border sections, missing links, multimodal connecting points and major bottlenecks. The network builds on existing and planned infrastructure in EU member states and was identified on the basis of the European Union's planning methodology which has to comply with common requirements or standards. Ireland's agreed core TEN-T network runs from Belfast to Dublin to Cork and includes the core ports of Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes. The proposal for the TEN-T network included technical specifications which must be achieved by member states within specified timeframes. That had to be taken into account in considering the draft network in 2011. For example, the proposed specifications at the time included a requirement for full electrification of all railways on the proposed core network. In fact, it was only when, during the subsequent EU co-decision process, Ireland obtained an exemption from the need to roll out ERTMS - a European wide telematics control system for rail traffic - and electrification on its rail network.

Against the backdrop of a very difficult economic climate in 2011, Ireland was required to consider the specific implications of the proposed network for its transport infrastructure, as well as our financial capacity to complete the technical specifications of our portion of the network within the timeframes proposed, namely, 2030 for our core network and 2050 for our comprehensive network. Inclusion of transport routes in the TEN-T network could potentially allow projects on those routes to be part-funded by the European Union. However, that could only be done through competitive EU-wide processes which were expected to be and were and continue to be considerably over-subscribed. The majority of costs of any capital project being funded by the Exchequer would still be borne by the Exchequer, with just the potential, if applications were successful, of a minority of grant funding coming from EU sources. All projects would also require accompanying cost-benefit analyses to be approved by the European Commission.

It was in that context that Ireland, like other EU member states, liaised with the European Commission on its views on the appropriateness of the draft TEN-T network in line with the proposed methodology and the affordability of completion of the network at the time. That resulted in sections of the proposed network not ultimately being included in the final TEN-T maps agreed to by all member states in 2013. Despite the economic challenges the country has faced, priority has been placed on access to and within the north west. The most notable demonstration of this is the Gort to Tuam motorway, the largest transport investment completed anywhere in the country since 2011. That priority is further maintained in the national development plan, Project Ireland 2040. Project Ireland 2040 places a strong emphasis on further improving connectivity, including the development of the strategic Cork to Limerick road link. There will be a review of implementation of the core network by the end of 2023. The Commission will consult member states and evaluate progress made in implementation of the TEN-T regulation, as well as the impact of evolving traffic patterns and relevant developments in infrastructure investment plans. The regulation further sets out that the Commission, in consultation with EU member states, will evaluate whether the core network should be modified to take into account developments in transport flows and national investment planning.

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