Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Boyd Barrett knows there was never any problem with him.

I am pleased to inform the House that I have secured €2.7 billion to fund projects and programmes throughout the transport, tourism and sports sectors in 2020. It is a measure of the Government's commitment to capital investment that the capital budget for my Department has increased by €357 million despite the difficult challenges created by Brexit. It will allow my Department to continue to finance core priorities and address short and long-term needs that fall within its remit.

Beyond the immediate impacts of Brexit, one of the most important challenges facing us is reducing excess carbon dioxide emissions which are the main cause of climate change. One of the keys to tackling excess emissions is the development of sustainable public transport to provide the option, wherever possible, for car users to leave their cars at home. As a result, 37% of the budget this year is devoted to public transport, an increase of €235 million on the figure for last year. It brings total investment in public transport in both current and capital expenditure to over €1 billion for the first time. We will commence building the national train control centre, continue to invest heavily in rail maintenance to improve intercity rail services, station accessibility and invest €80 million to support enhanced walking and cycling facilities across all major urban centres. We will continue to support fleet operators via the PSO system, incentivising passengers to switch to public transport by ensuring fares remain competitive. We will support continued investment in greenways, with a 21% increase in funding. In Dublin the budget will support progress on two major infrastructural projects, namely, BusConnects and MetroLink. It will also allow us to commence the transition to hybrid vehicles in the Dublin Bus fleet and assist in delivering on the commitment to provide 200 km of mostly segregated cycle lanes as part of the BusConnects project.

I recognise that transitioning to a low carbon economy will take time as it is the biggest industrial transformation in our lifetime. I do not want to lose sight of the vital and traditional importance of the road network in the daily lives of citizens and commuters, particularly outside urban areas. As a result, we will invest €1.12 billion in roads, including the N5, Westport to Turlough, road; the N22, Ballyvourney to Macroom, road; the Dunkettle interchange and the Listowel and Moycullen bypasses. Additionally, my Department is investing €1.5 million in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with funds ring fenced from carbon tax revenues.

In 2020 we will invest €125 million in sport and €186 million in tourism. We have secured funding to support the qualifying teams for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, the hosting of four matches in the Euro 2020 championships next June and commence preparations to host the Ryder Cup in 2026. As the full impacts of Brexit are likely to make themselves felt in 2020, we have secured a commitment to a significant package of up to €40 million to support a wide range of measures that will be undertaken by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. It will help to ensure we continue to have a strong and positive presence in international tourism markets.

Since the formation of the Government in May 2016, the overall departmental budget has increased from €1.7 billion to €2.7 billion, with 87% of the increase represented by Project Ireland 2040 investment. It enhances the value of capital stock in the country and addresses vital infrastructure requirements, improving our standard of living and international competitiveness. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is proud of the fact that the portfolio has been given such prominence and priority by the Government.

The Independent Alliance supports the prudent approach taken to the budget. However, this approach does not mean that those who are more vulnerable have been neglected. It is welcome that many more people will be eligible for medical cards as a result of measures taken in the budget, at the encouragement and urging of the Independent Alliance. I also acknowledge the willingness of the Minister for Finance to increase the threshold for inheritance tax by €15,000 for the second year in a row. This is part of a trend linked with a pledge in the programme for Government which holds that people, particularly those on modest incomes, should be able to leave their houses to their children in certain circumstances. We are not talking about particularly affluent people, with the amount in question increasing to approximately €335,000. Inheritance tax is something that adversely affects people with various assets, particularly those whose sole asset is the family home. They will now be relieved of some of the burden borne heretofore.

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