Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Transport the capital investment projects that are commencing in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which aspirations and objectives set by him at the launch of Transport 21 have been achieved to date or are on course; the extent to which the required capital for the programme remains available, likely to become available or is likely to be curtailed; if the stakeholders or service providers will choose the priorities for the programme or whether he or his Department or other body, group or agency will have an input; the extent to the discussions he has had with the stakeholders in respect of achieving the targets set within the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17903/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 49 together.

Substantial progress has been made in respect of Transport 21: the five major inter-urban motorways and the M50 upgrade will be completed this year; the Irish Rail fleet has been renewed; the Cork-Midleton line and the first phase of the western rail corridor have opened and the first phase of the Navan line will open later this year; the Kildare railway line has been upgraded and a number of new Dublin suburban stations have opened; the Luas docklands extension opened last December and the Cherrywood and City West projects are well advanced; and more than 500 buses have been purchased. No major Transport 21 projects will commence in 2010 because of the substantial number currently under construction. However, increased smarter travel investment will allow a number of new projects to begin.

As a result of the changed economic circumstances, transport investment priorities have been reviewed. Future national road priorities are: progression of the Atlantic road corridor; and improvement of other key strategic routes. The public transport priority is increased long-term capacity, particularly through: the construction of metro north; and the construction of DART underground and the implementation of the associated electrification, signalling and rolling stock investments. It is also a priority to continue planning other projects for earliest possible delivery when the economic situation improves. The investment in smarter travel initiatives will be increased.

Future funding will be decided by the Government, which will have regard to the capital review carried out by the Department of Finance. In addition, strategic priorities will be set by the Government. The National Roads Authority and National Transport Authority will be guided by these priorities when deciding on detailed project allocations.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister clarify the position regarding a statement issued earlier today by Irish Rail in respect of DART underground? The statement appears to indicate that the completion date for this project has been put back to 2018. While it is obviously expensive to build an underground connector, it would never be less costly to do so than now. Costs, particularly those relating to steel, have never been lower. Should the planning process relating to such a major infrastructural project not be accelerated? What does the Minister know about this decision? Was he consulted or informed about it?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I heard about the decision at lunchtime. I was with the board of CIE this morning but the matter was not mentioned. I reiterated that the Dart interconnector and the metro are the two major public transport projects that should be completed within the timeframe set out in Transport 21.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I apologise but I cannot hear the Minister.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask for quiet in the Visitors Gallery please. The Minister should proceed.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I stated that like the Deputy, I became aware of this statement sometime around lunchtime today. Although I met the board of CIE earlier this morning, this was not mentioned to me.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Was it not? That is amazing.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It was not mentioned to me even though a presentation was made regarding the DART interconnector at this morning's meeting. I do not know how the statement in respect of planning could be made because, although I stand to be corrected, I understand the statement cited delays in the planning process as the reason the project was likely to extend until the aforementioned time. However, I do not know how anyone could make such a statement because no one knows how long it will be in the planning process. As far as the Government is concerned, the two priority public transport projects are the DART interconnector and metro north.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Before calling Deputy Broughan, I will allow Deputy O'Dowd a further supplementary question.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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If the company has decided off its own bat to reorder Government priorities, it will be hearing from me.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The nub of the issue is that although the Minister met the board of CIE, its members did not tell him about this issue being decided by them. This constitutes a snub to the Minister, particularly in view of his earlier response to the question on the appointment of Dr. Lynch as chairman of CIE. It is unacceptable to both the Minister and this House that this project, which is critical to Dublin's future transport options on foot of the connectivity it will bring, is being put on the long finger by a company that is not accountable to this House, which will not answer questions before the Joint Committee on Transport and the chairman of which the Minister reappointed without consulting anyone. This demonstrates where the Minister's policy has put him, namely, in a complete mess.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I had consultations on the appointment of the chairperson. While I do not consult anyone and everyone regarding such appointments, Government consultation took place. As I stated previously to the Deputy, I am unaware of any change the company has proposed on this matter. I am aware of a statement that was made and I will seek clarification thereon.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I am astonished by this admission that the board of CIE could make a statement to the effect that the interconnector will only be completed by 2018. Why was the entire Fianna Fáil party in Dublin not lined up, both Deputies and councillors, as was seen at the recent opening of Clongriffin DART station? Although the Minister seemed to know all about that event, he was not aware of the further postponement of what he has acknowledged to be the most important project in public transport to connect finally the railways and DART services across the east Leinster region. This is an astonishing admission and is deplorable. How can this possibly work? The Minister is aware that in a couple of months' time, the metro north project will finally move towards its planning railway order and construction will begin on a number of what it calls "boxes" throughout the city. As the interconnector is supposed to be integrated with that project, how can these two projects not move ahead together?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, we are on Question Time.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It is unbelievable.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated, everyone here is talking about a statement that no Member has seen. The Opposition is engaged in putting their own political spin on it. I am telling the truth as I am obliged to do in this House. I was not informed of this development and am not aware of any postponement of metro north, which should be delivered on schedule as far as the Government is concerned. While some completely unforeseen difficulties may arise and so on, as far as Government policy is concerned, the interconnector project and the metro project are the two key public transport projects. Moreover, as far as the Government is concerned, there has been no postponement. Furthermore, this would not be a policy decision on the part of the board. I make general policy and consequently, I await with great interest the information that I expect to receive from the board about this project.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy O'Dowd, with a brief supplementary.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister not insist on the attendance in his office immediately or within the next few hours of the chairman and board of CIE or Irish Rail to explain this statement? The statement from them is incredible and the Minister appears to be saying that if the interconnector is gone, significant questions may arise about metro north. If this is the case, it is imperative that the Government and the Minister insist on immediate clarity on this issue and insist on being the dominant party. The Government provides the money and appoints these people to their positions and therefore should insist on immediate accountability on this fundamental and critical issue for public transport.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no foundation to the suggestion that were one of these projects to go, the other one could not go ahead. I wish to knock that idea straight away, given that an advanced state of tendering has been reached for metro north. Either project can proceed separately and while some works could be common to both, they can be accommodated and that is the intention. However, that does not mean that if one project could not proceed for some reason or other, the second project automatically would be postponed. I wish to make clear that point. Furthermore, I do not believe in big dramatic gestures like this. I am sure that by the time I return to my office, I will have a full explanation from whoever made the statement and from CIE regarding the DART interconnector and I will communicate thereon with the Deputies.