Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether funding promised for sub-programmes implemented by his Department under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 will be delivered and implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23695/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The transport programme in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for a total investment of €32.9 billion over seven years and identifies the Government's priorities for investment in roads, public transport, airports and ports sectors.

In 2007, expenditure under the NDP transport programme exceeded its projected level by €178 million. The Exchequer provision for the transport sector in 2008 is in line with the projections used for the NDP. I should also add that the funding provided for the first three years of Transport 21 is in line with the originally agreed profile of expenditure.

The Government has repeatedly indicated that the national development plan, of which Transport 21 is a part, is its top priority and that, even in difficult economic circumstances, its objective will be to continue to provide the funding necessary to support its implementation.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. Can the Minister give me a categorical assurance that there will be no change to the timetables of any of the programmes under Transport 21 and that none of them will be taken off the list? In particular, will he refute the rumour in regard to metro north? What is the position in respect of metro north, metro west and the Luas lines? Will they be constructed as planned?

The Minister stated that expenditure by his Department last year was on target. However, in December 2007, the Minister moved €51.4 million from the public transport investment programme into other projects. Will the Minister assure me that will not happen this year?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot give the Deputy that assurance. The budget of almost €33 billion in respect of Transport 21 is a multi-annual package which ensures funding for a project which does not commence on time owing to planning delays and so on will not be returned to the Exchequer at the end of the year as is the position in regard to unspent departmental funding. I cannot assure the Deputy that money will not be moved around within Transport 21.

The sum referred to by the Deputy was taken from the public transport programme and reallocated to future projects under Transport 21. The Department has an envelope of almost €33 billion which will be spent. It is my duty and that of my Department to ensure moneys not spent in a particular area are reallocated to another area.

The Deputy asked specifically if there have been any indicative changes to the timetables of metro north or metro west? No such changes have been made, bearing in mind cutbacks in other areas and so on. I have said on a number of occasions that the original timetable for Transport 21 is indicative. Where issues arise, money will be moved around. The completion date for the entire metro west project remains at 2014. The project has been identified as a public private partnership project. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, indicated, when announcing the preferred route alignment, the possibility of it being implemented on a phased basis and this will be discussed with the prospective PPP bidders.

The scheduled completion date for metro north is 2013. This takes into account the additional planning work required by the scope changes made arising from the public consultation process. The projected completion date for Lucan Luas is 2013. An overlap between metro north and the DART extension might result in a delay in this regard. However, the position is not yet clear. I cannot provide totally reliable completion dates until the tendering process is completed.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister referred to money being moved around and to issues that could affect projects. Obviously, the issues concerned are outside the Minister's remit. However, can he give us a categorical assurance today that no cutbacks or changes to timetables for construction will be made by his Department? That is the key question, particularly in respect of metro north.

Will the Minister state whether public transport projects outside the greater Dublin area, GDA, in particular, the western rail corridor, the €90 million for rural transport initiatives and new commuter rail services in Cork and Galway, will be delivered on time and on target?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I think what the Deputy is asking is if, as of today, there are proposals to defer any of these projects on the basis of the current financial situation. I can categorically state that as of today there are no such proposals.