Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when the recommendations of the review of the proposed capital projects of metro north, BXD, the DART airport linkup and the DART underground will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26873/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority, NTA, on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the greater Dublin area, such as metro north, the DART underground, a DART link to the airport and Luas BXD, fall under the remit of the NTA.

Regarding Government policy on public transport investment, the comprehensive review of capital expenditure is under way. This review is being overseen by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and takes place against a background of new funding realities. It is examining capital programmes and projects, taking account of their overall economic impact and job creation potential. The level of funding available for public transport investment from 2012 to 2016 will depend on the outcome of this review. A major consideration for transport investment during the next five years will be the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards.

Regarding large public transport projects in the Dublin area, the availability of funding, both from the Exchequer and private sources, will be a key consideration in the capital review, as will the contribution to transport objectives, including the potential to add value to existing services and create employment. The outcome of the review should be available in the next few weeks.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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We are still waiting on the review, but signals have been given out to the effect that metro west will not go ahead. There is merit in the idea that at least one of these projects should not be scrapped. The one that would deliver the most would be metro north. More than €200 million has been spent on these projects, some €150 million of that on metro north. This money was spent on consultants, architects, residents meetings, etc. The Minister has attended meetings, but I have attended more meetings about metro north than anyone.

I hope we do not go down the road of scrapping everything. It has been hinted that the DART link-up would be a better, more deliverable and less expensive project, but metro north would deliver the most jobs, have the most impact across the city and link the north and south sides with the airport, Ikea, Ballymun, DCU and new areas with large populations, such as Swords. Metro north would take traffic off the roads and create jobs along ancillary routes. We are in economically difficult times, but we must continue to create jobs via capital projects like metro north.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Metro west has not been scrapped. It still exists as a long-term project. The railway reservation will be maintained. It is not appropriate to spend more money on consultants, lawyers and so on if we must repeat the process in 15 years time, given that there is no visibility as to when the project can be funded.

I agree with the Deputy on metro north. It is very good project and would benefit my constituency enormously. I would love to be able to deliver it to my constituents during my term in office but it is the most expensive project by a mile and requires both private and public finances, neither of which are available, apparently, although this may change.

We will not do anything to prevent metro north, the DART underground and the Luas BXD line from going ahead in the future. If it is not possible for all, or any, of those projects to proceed during the term of this Government, we will ensure they get to the end-of-railway-order stage and have planning permission such that they will be shovel-ready when it is possible to proceed. We will protect the reservations to make sure nothing gets built in the way.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I hear what the Minister is saying. One certainly gets the impression that money will be a big problem. The Government is talking about raising €5 billion, some of which will go towards job creation. I am not necessarily saying I agree with the selling off of State assets - because I do not - but I believe this project would deliver a lot of jobs and benefits to the people of Dublin. I refer in particular to the link to Dublin Airport. Dublin is the only major city that does not have a rail link up to its airport.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I expressed my view previously that I would be in favour of the sale of State assets if the money could be reinvested in the economy. I would very much like to see that reinvestment in transport projects. If one considers the cost of metro north, for example, and to a lesser extent that of the DART underground, one will conclude that if we sold assets worth €5 billion, the only project the money would be invested in would be that project.