Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to address amendments Nos. 23, 33 to 35, inclusive.

Amendment No. 23 proposes to add a definition in this Part to the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy to allow for Deputy Leddin's other amendments related to the Limerick project 2040 delivery board and associated transport subgroup. We discussed similar amendments to these on Committee Stage. Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy is prepared by the National Transport Authority in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland with the co-operation of Iarnród Éireann. It was published in December 2022 and is a blueprint for sustainable transport in this area for the next two decades.

Amendments Nos. 33 to 35, inclusive, propose to add reference to the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy, the functional delivery board and the transport subgroup. The amendments would widen the scope of the board to include supporting, co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of the strategy as well as others including the national development plan, national framework for Limerick city and county and the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area strategy. The latter is an integrated land use and transport strategy for the metropolitan area that includes on a regional basis the regional spatial and economic strategy.

Both the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area strategy and the Limerick city and county development plan make reference to the LSMATS. However, the strategy does not have a statutory basis and so does not lend itself to being referenced in legislation. I acknowledge the positive spirit in which the Deputy has brought these amendments and by way of assurance I remind Members the delivery board will enable the mayor to collaborate with key stakeholders to support the implementation of core plans and strategies with a particular focus on the provision of transport infrastructure and services. I highlight that the delivery board subgroup shall meet at least once a year with the Minister. While I cannot accept these amendments I trust the Deputy will agree the provisions of the Bill are robust. I will outline a bit of the thought process. When the legislation came to me there was nothing in it on transport. I made a point of there being a specific section in the Bill, section 34, that directly relates to a transport subgroup being established. I deliberately put the mayor chairing it and on it the DG, the chief executive of Clare County Council and the director of the Southern Regional Assembly. Those were specific decisions I made because of the context of the fact we have a regional focus, which Deputy McNamara spoke to as well.

The functions of that subgroup are very broad. There is an enormous degree of latitude in respect of what that subgroup does. It was not put it in at the time because it was not on a statutory basis. We have had lengthy discussions, including with the Department of Transport. It is a matter into which I have put a lot of work. I very much take on board what Deputy Leddin is looking to achieve. Section 34 is deliberate and wide-ranging. This legislation brings Clare and the Southern Regional Assembly into the overall context. I hope it will cover everything in any plan on transport. At this moment, my views have not changed since Committee Stage.

As for what Deputy McNamara brought up, it was new and I looked at it. It was new on the mayor, the civic and the freedom of the city and so forth. That is where I stand at the moment.

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