Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Senator's strong views on the importance of robust capital appraisal of public transport investment. He has made long-standing commentary on the issue. I am not in favour of the amendment proposing independent appraisal of capital expenditure, even though I have no disagreement with him on the need for projects to be appraised to the required standard by public transport operators.

All agencies under the aegis of my Department are required to adhere to the Department's common appraisal framework, which was put in place in June 2009. I am sure Senator Barrett is aware of it. A key element of the framework is guidance on the conduct of cost benefit analysis, which is a requirement for all projects with the capital costs of ¤30 million or more. Furthermore, the public expenditure code of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, from July 2012, includes a wide range of material on the appraisal of programmes and projects, including a guide to cost benefit analysis. The code brings together all previous advisory material so that procedures are up to speed with national and international guidelines and practices. The code strengthens procedures in order that citizens can be sure they are getting best value for use of scarce public funds. All public transport agencies will be required to adhere to these updated evaluation processes, with which I am sure the Senator agrees. I oppose the amendment.