Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made on developing the Leinster outer orbital route; if he has reviewed and accepted the National Roads Authority's feasibility study on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32533/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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While I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme element of Transport 21, the implementation of individual projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority. In 2007, the NRA completed an updated feasibility study, based on an earlier 2001 study, which considered in particular the costs and benefits of what has become known as the Leinster outer orbital route.

The updated NRA study, a copy of which was forwarded to my Department in March 2007, concluded that the Leinster orbital route linking Drogheda, Navan, Trim and Naas, is strategically beneficial for the region in terms of strengthening the links between key development centres, assisting the economic development of these centres and improving the overall regional transport network.

Neither Transport 21 nor the national development plan provides any funding for such a scheme to be constructed in the period to 2015. The Government has already made it clear, under Transport 21, that priorities for the roads investment programme after the completion of the major interurban network in 2010 will be the Atlantic road corridor as well as the improvement of other key national primary routes and the targeted improvement of certain national secondary routes.

The Leinster orbital route proposal remains an important potential element of our longer-term infrastructure development. My Department will continue to liaise with the roads and planning authorities concerned to ensure that route options are preserved free of impediment for this potential project.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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In terms of the economic development of the whole province, many citizens throughout Leinster would think there is great merit in the road project from Drogheda through Navan and down to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's constituency. Is the Minister saying the NRA feasibility study could be published so we would know the cost benefit analysis of proceeding with the road? Does he agree with Fred Barry of the NRA that the Leinster outer orbital should be its key priority after the completion of the inter urban routes in 2010?

The last time the Minister discussed the Leinster orbital in this House, the next day the Green Party rubbished what he said and stated the party would never sign up to the orbital. Is that still the case and is there a complete division of opinion on this issue within the Government?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I try not to be parochial, but I have always said that I see great merit in the potential for this particular route. It would be economically and environmentally a very positive move. It would certainly help to free up the M50 even further and would be of great benefit economically, especially as it would link all the major radial routes. I see great potential in this, but it was not included in the NDP because the work was not done on it. The programme for Government states we will continue to leave it open as an option, and it certainly will have to be considered when we are reviewing the road projects after this NDP expires.

It is not a great secret that the Green Party does not favour any kind of road development. Its members feel we currently have a sufficient amount of roads, and they are entitled to that particular belief. The Government decision on this will be made at the appropriate time and based on the wider economic and environmental issues that give rise to it.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I accept the Minister's personal commitment to this. He is introducing the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 in the Seanad on Thursday which will convert Bremore Port near Drogheda into a major national port. There is a commitment in the Government programme to have greater infrastructure along this route for port access. The road is absolutely critical to it. The Green Party is opposed to this, including its Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, even though it is in his constituency. He is opposed to a road which would bring great benefits to his community and to the economy in the area. Does the Minister not think it is a disgrace the Green Party is opposed to this critical piece of infrastructure which is part of the programme for Government?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Everybody is entitled to their own beliefs and I can disagree with them.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Tell them to get lost.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not necessarily think it is a disgrace that they have a view contrary to my own in a couple of areas, as it is a healthy part of democracy.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Is the Green Party sending the Minister to Brussels?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I have a couple of comments before I put my question to the Minister.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy should ask the question. If he is going to make a comment, he should make it without announcing it.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I will always take instruction from you.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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He is learning fast.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Having been so well advised, I shall proceed. The report today in the Fingal Independent shows that the port in Drogheda will have a capacity of 50 million tonnes. Currently, Dublin Port takes 30 million tonnes, while the port at Drogheda only takes 10 million tonnes. There will load on and load off facilities, which means many extra lorries.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will the Deputy ask a question?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I asked the Minister before about the M50. Are we wasting our time with these upgrades and all the hassle we have caused people? If we do not build an outer route, it will be chock-a-block again in five years. Deputy Varadkar told me that such a study has been carried out and that in five or six years the road will be chock-a-block again. I do not question the Minister's commitment to it, but it is not part of Transport 21 and as this port at Bremore is going ahead, does he not agree it is totally unfair to the people of Balbriggan to be subjected to the amount of traffic that will be involved? I support this port and I recognise there is a tremendous opportunity for development in the community if it goes ahead, but the road is an integral part of it. One part cannot go ahead without the other. Will the Minister use his influence to ensure this becomes a priority project?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy that the potential development at Bremore will be beneficial to the whole region, and not just his constituency, as well as the whole country. This offers us further port capacity, so I would not disagree with the Deputy's point. If the port is to be developed in Bremore, part of that development will have to take into account the necessary road infrastructure being put in place as well. That will obviously form part of the consideration of the project. If the port is operational, that will become a factor in the review of roads policy and the development of roads in the future.

All the indicators suggest that this would be a good road project. The addition of the port would add to that potential. It will be kept under review, but it is not under the current phase of the national development plan.