Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I praised Ministers for attending the Seanad to debate various Adjournment matters and I hope they will continue to do so, but they may be busy tonight. While I am delighted that the Minister of State is present, I hope Ministers will not forget about or get bored with appearing in the Seanad.

The Navan rail line is an important infrastructural issue, not only for Navan town or County Meath, but in terms of access to the north west. Last year, we were delighted when the first phase of the Navan rail line opened, resulting in 20 trains per day each way between the M3 Parkway Station and Dublin, passing through Dunboyne. In recent years, Iarnród Éireann has done a considerable amount of work in extending the rail line between the M3 Parkway Station and Navan. Numerous consultation events have been held, the attendees of which found them to be helpful and useful. I pay tribute to Iarnród Éireann for the extent of its public consultation.

A preferred route has been identified and the public in County Meath and the north east are waiting for a railway order to be presented to An Bord Pleanála so that the next stage of the process can go ahead and people can look forward to the rail line coming to Navan. However, serious concerns have emerged in County Meath, particularly in light of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar's review of spending on new road and rail projects. Many commentators and many people living in the area believe this review might mark the beginning of the end for the project.

My party's intention is to fight for the project. We delivered the first stage, proving the project can be done, and we intend to put as much pressure on the Government as is required to ensure the rest of the job is done. Recently, the Minister has refused to engage with the local authority and the local community. We appreciate that there is a spending review and that we are in straitened times, but we still have a capital budget and choices will need to be made by the Government. We want it to make the right ones in County Meath. The former Minister, Mr. Martin Cullen, received a cross-party delegation, which led to the first phase being opened. However, I understand that the current Minister has refused to engage. In terms of his review of these projects, it would be helpful were he to engage with the local community.

I would be delighted if the Minister of State said the project was going ahead or if there was an announcement. I expect neither, but I press the case for this crucial project.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, whose Department has responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport.

Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority, NTA, in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the greater Dublin area, such as phase 2 of the Navan rail line, comes under the remit of the NTA. 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, NDP.

The preparation of the new framework requires that the Department review all existing projects and programmes. As part of the review process, all agencies funded by the 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 NTA, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, and Iarnród Éireann regarding public transport projects. These submissions are being examined by officials and will inform the Department's conclusions on the capital review.

Fundamentally, the review will 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. A clear decision on the development of the Navan rail line will be made in the context of the new NDP, which is expected to be published by September. Until such time as this decision is taken, it would be premature to comment further on the future development of the Navan rail line.

I would like to comment on phase 1 of the line from Clonsilla to Dunboyne, which opened in March 2010. This line, with half hourly services and a large park and ride facility at Pace, offers commuters a viable alternative to the private car. Substantial progress has recently been made regarding the opening of the station at Hansfield and it is now expected that the station will open in early 2012.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That was a disappointing reply. The Minister of State refused to make any commitment on the Navan rail line. He points out that, while consultation with various bodies is under way, there is none with the area's public or elected officials. I urge the Minister of State to plead with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to meet his colleagues. Four of the county's Deputies are in Fine Gael and have gone on the record to support the plan. The rest of us want to push the process onwards. The Minister should meet the elected politicians, the community and the local authority to see the determination of the people of County Meath for the project to go ahead. I urge the people of Meath to inundate the Minister over the summer before a decision is made. It is the only way to get the project done.