Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

42. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the input his Department had into to the Galway transport strategy; to provide details of any reports provided by his Department to the Galway transport unit; the remit of the consultants involved together with any reports and-or findings presented by them; the plans in place for a light rail system for County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21981/16]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What input did the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have in the Galway transport strategy; what reports, written or otherwise, are available and was light rail considered?

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​I thank Deputy Connolly for the question.

My Department had no input into the preparation of the Galway transport strategy. While we would be supportive of the objectives contained in the strategy to promote more sustainable forms of transport for Galway, the development of the strategy is a matter for the local authorities concerned and we have no direct role in the matter. However, the Deputy may recall from my response to a previous question on 14 June that the National Transport Authority, NTA, which is one of the agencies under my aegis, assisted Galway City Council and Galway County Council in the development of their transport strategy for the city. The NTA administers the regional cities programme for investment in public transport infrastructure in the regional cities of Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. It also has responsibility for securing the provision of public transport passenger services throughout the country and so it has a keen interest in the development of transport strategies in the regional cities.

The Galway transport strategy sets out a series of actions and measures covering infrastructural, operational and policy elements to be implemented in Galway over the next 20 years and sets out a framework to deliver the projects in a phased manner. I am told the draft strategy was on public display until 11 July for public consultation and that that process is now complete. The draft strategy, appendices and strategic environmental assessment-Natura impact report were available on the Galway City and County Council websites as part of the public consultation process. I understand that it is proposed to incorporate the transport strategy into the draft Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023 and this is also a matter for the city council.

I am informed that the issue of light rail had been considered in the preparation of the draft strategy but it was concluded that there is insufficient demand to justify the significant additional cost of developing a light rail system, so bus transport will provide the backbone of the public transport network under the strategy.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. However, I am disappointed. This is my third follow up in relation to this matter. I will continue to follow up on it. During a meeting with the National Transport Authority, which comes under the remit of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, a delegation, of which I was a member, was told that the NTA was preparing a report. I have tried to find that report - I would have thought there would be a written report outlining the reasons light rail was not an appropriate solution - but I cannot find it anywhere. The Minister is also unable to provide me with it today.

I come from a beautiful city, which was recently voted the European Capital of Culture. However, we have a trinity of problems, namely, the hospital, the lack of housing and public transport. Of the public transport options, light rail is the cheapest and will help us to comply with our obligations under the climate strategy and the legislation we passed committing us to low carbon emissions. Instead of that this Government is allowing Galway City Council to go ahead with a 16.5 km road that will cost €30 million per kilometre, at a conservative estimate of €500 million for a cul-de-sac, as happened in respect of the previous outer bypass.

It is a golden opportunity for the Government to lead and for the new Minister and the new politics to look at a green type of transport and a solution that is sustainable and that will show the way in Ireland and Europe. Many small cities in France have light rail systems. Where are the reports from the NTA?

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will address the issue of light rail first. I know that Deputy Connolly has been a very keen crusader for light rail in Galway for a long time. The issue of light rail was considered in the preparation of the draft strategy. However, it established that there is insufficient demand to justify the significant additional cost of developing a light rail system and the public transport network set out in the strategy will remain bus-based.

Under the regional cities programme, the Department provides funding to the NTA for the development of bus lanes; green routes, to which the Deputy referred, other bus priority measures and safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists in the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The NTA manages this programme on behalf of the Department. In the period from 2011 to 2015, around €60 million was provided by the NTA to the local authorities and transport operators in the four regional cities for bus priority and other public transport measures, of which over €10 million was in respect of projects in Galway. Overall funding for this programme in 2016 is €13.5 million, of which Galway has an allocation of €2.14 million.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I got that reply in June and read it. The Minister is reading it out to me again. Where is the written report from the NTA that sets out for me where it found that light rail was not justified? That is my question.

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will ask my Department to furnish it to the Deputy.