Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the progress made in the process to decide on which of the three major capital projects BXD, Metro North or Dart Underground, under his portfolio that he will proceed with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13741/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Government recently announced a comprehensive review of capital spending which is now under way. The review will examine capital proposals across all sectors of the economy to establish a set of priority projects and programmes that will support economic recovery and provide new employment opportunities. The results will form the basis of a new national development plan.

The preparation of the new framework requires that my Department review all existing projects and programmes. The review will also need to take account of new funding realities. A major priority will be to ensure funding to protect and maintain investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards. This will of necessity restrict the funding for new projects, with only those offering the highest return having any prospect of being prioritised.

As part of the review process all agencies funded by my Department have been requested to make submissions supporting their programmes and setting priorities in a scenario of reduced allocations. Submissions have recently been received from the National Transport Authority, Railway Procurement Agency and Iarnród Éireann in regard to public transport projects. These submissions are being examined by my officials and will inform my Department's conclusions on the capital review.

I will not speculate on the outcome of the review. However, I have already stated that, given funding constraints and the uncertainty about the availability of private funding for major infrastructure projects, it is likely that only one of the major Dublin projects can proceed in the period to 2016. I will seek to secure that outcome if at all possible.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The last time I raised this matter I was told that these three projects were the only projects under consideration. Now there is some indication that a fourth project, linking Malahide to the airport, may be in contention. This project will not serve the communities along the route from Drumcondra out to Swords, including Ballymun and Santry, in which we are seeking to get the best returns. The objective is to get as many cars off the road as possible by providing a proper public transport system. The northside of Dublin has been left behind in comparison with other areas. People are not aware that metro north alone has already cost €150 million.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question?

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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It is absolutely scandalous. Some €45 million has been spent on preparatory work for the DART underground project and a further €8 million or €9 million on the Luas BXD proposal. The Government has promised it will undertake one of these three projects. I urge that we proceed with the one that gives us the most, including the most jobs. The Government is always talking about jobs. The returns from metro north are huge for the communities it will serve. I urge the Government to look at that.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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To clarify, there are four projects in the mix, as we have stated clearly on several occasions. After the spending review, after the information has been provided to the Department and the process has gone through the Government, we will hopefully be in a position to go ahead with one of them. We are aware of all the issues raised by the Deputy, particularly those concerning north Dublin, and we will do our best to ensure the decision made will facilitate the best project within the Government's limitations. All variables will be taken into consideration but this is about thinking about the future and providing transport infrastructure in Dublin. That will be one of the main components.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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All along, we said three projects were being considered. Now, the Minister of State has mentioned a fourth. I have never been at so many meetings over one project, Metro north. It will deliver more jobs-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is Question Time.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister consider the project that will deliver most jobs and the greatest benefit to the community, as well as ancillary benefits for residents? Also, this will deliver a first-class service to Dublin Airport. The Minister should not take the short route, which is throwing €150 million down the drain.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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All variables will be taken into consideration. All the projects have merit in what they are trying to achieve. We are aware that the project to which Deputy Ellis refers has great merit. The cost benefit analysis across all projects is quite good and we will take that into account. It is incumbent on us to examine all projects. A fourth project has been brought to our attention and we are examining it. It is our intention to pick the best project from the four to ensure it facilitates people in Dublin. As a consequence, this will entail a considerable amount of work. We will choose this to the best of our ability and all variables will be taken on board.