Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

126. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be taken with regard to the best route and infrastructure option in connecting Dublin city with Dublin Airport; if he is satisfied with the current public transport connections to the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4657/15]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be well aware that a rail link between a capital city and its international airport is a very significant piece of infrastructure and one which needs to be part of any city that seeks to set itself apart in terms of its overall development. Can the Minister enlighten the House as to when the Government intends to proceed with a decision on the best route or option in that regard?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Transport Authority, NTA, has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the greater Dublin area, GDA. Under this remit, the NTA has commissioned the Fingal-north Dublin transport study to examine all existing proposals as well as other possible options for a transport solution to meet the needs of the Swords-Dublin Airport-city centre corridor in the long term. Phase one of the study was published on 8 December and six short-listed project options were identified for further detailed evaluation. A public consultation process was also launched at that time.

In the next stage, the six projects will be subject to further analysis assessing cost, engineering, environmental and usage forecasts. This will form the basis for the selection of the recommended preferred option. The NTA has indicated it expects to have the output of this phase by the end of March. The output will then require careful consideration in tandem with other analyses being undertaken, including the updating of a business case for the DART underground project and the work being carried out in the preparation of a draft transport strategy for the GDA. I anticipate that I will finalise this review by the middle of the year, in conjunction with the development of the transport strategy for the region.

Regarding public transport provision at Dublin Airport, results of an extensive survey carried out by the NTA at the airport in late 2011 show that 33% of passengers travelled to the airport by bus, with a further 24% travelling by taxi. While this compares favourably with other airports internationally, I am conscious of the need to address this issue in the context of the needs for transport improvements for the GDA in general. The NRA has predicted an increase by 40,000 journeys into the city centre by 2023, which would necessitate the construction of an additional 40 multi-storey car parks, were all these journeys to be taken in private cars, a scenario that is neither possible nor desirable.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The last line of the Minister's response sets out the stark reality that faces us, and there are other implications for infrastructure throughout the city and surrounding it in terms of finding an appropriate solution. While I have much regard for what the NTA is doing, it requires action at Government level to ensure the appropriate funding is in place and this will dictate the options that are open for consideration. In the short term, the bus rapid transit option is, perhaps, an appropriate measure to deal with the immediate need, the Government will have to proceed relatively quickly to ensure there is a rail option. It is the only long-term solution that will provide the appropriate level of connectivity and meet the demand the NRA expects. I would like the Minister to set out, in a clear and concise way, a definitive timeframe during which these projects will begin. While we understand the necessity to do value for money studies, we can never again allow a backlog in the roll-out of infrastructure, a problem which arose as a result of the failure on the part of successive Governments to proceed with investment at the appropriate time. It is important that we drive these projects towards commencement.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

By the middle of 2015 I aim to have achieved clarity on the projects that should be progressed and why. It is more difficult to answer the second part of the Deputy's question about when work will begin and when the projects will be open to serve the travelling public because the recommendation I take to the Government will determine which projects will be built and how long it will take to happen. Some of the options would take more time than others and some would cost more than others. When I make my recommendations on how money will be spent on public transport by the middle of this year, I will be in a position to determine the timing of the selected projects.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the clarification. While I am prepared to wait until the middle of this year for the assessment to see what he is prepared to put to Government - I see the Minister smile and I suppose I have no choice but to wait - I believe it is important that he put in place the moneys available to him as soon as possible. The difficulty is that this seems to be a step process: when the Minister gets that information he will bring it to Cabinet and make a decision. He needs to put pressure on the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform prior to getting a conclusion from the NTA on the options available. He will then know what moneys are available because ultimately that will assist him in deciding on the proposals he will bring to Cabinet. I would like to see more activity in tandem with that process and that the Minister reaches a point when all the analyses are done that he knows what moneys are available to him. That then becomes a relatively straightforward memorandum to Cabinet.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I absolutely appreciate the Deputy’s point, that there is a need for public transport projects in parts of our country to alleviate congestion challenges just as in many other parts of the country there is an acute need for infrastructure and investment in our local road network to respond to the needs in many counties. For me to gain support within Government for projects to be delivered, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and others will want to know what those projects are, the business case for them and the cost. In order for me to answer those fundamental questions and ensure best value is secured for taxpayers I need to do this on a phased basis.

I strongly believe that compared with transport planning in recent years very few of the landmark public transport projects that were prioritised happened. There was a great improvement in our road network. I am clear that if we do not make more progress on key public transport projects our road network, regardless of its design, in some parts of the country, particularly in Dublin, will not be able to cope with the level of demand it will face.