Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail)
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The delivery of the rail line to Navan has been debated for more than 20 years. Since the opening of phase 1 in 2010 by the then Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey, the completion of the line from Dunboyne to Navan has fallen off the agenda, including the national development plan, NDP. However, there is reason to have great optimism at this very moment because we have the coming together of the review of the NDP and, critically, the review by the National Transport Authority, NTA, of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. Key to the NTA review is the fact that the Navan element was analysed on an evidence basis. This is important if it is to become part of the NDP. I am hopeful that, when presented to the Minister, the NTA's review of its many projects will be favourable and that we will then see him ensuring that this project is included in the plan, but time is key because the two reviews are beginning to align at this very moment.

We need a firm financial commitment towards the expediting of this infrastructure. When I raised this issue with the Minister in the Chamber, he spoke of the need for positive statements from Meath County Council as the lead planning authority. From a strategic planning point of view, the council's work to demonstrate the population growth in the urban centre of Navan and along the designated route has been exemplary. It has been the essence of good planning in terms of creating centralised growth centres with good public transport hubs to provide people with easy access to their work or education in Dublin city centre.

I am sure the Minister of State will refer to the Department's need to decarbonise and the sustainable mobility of people. In July 2017, its economic and financial evaluation unit published a report that estimated the cost of aggravated congestion across Ireland's transport system and how it would grow without intervention in the coming decades. Its analysis suggested that the cost of time lost due to aggravated congestion in the base year of 2012 was nearly €500 million and predicted an increase to €2 billion by 2033. That is happening in County Meath right now. Ours is the only county in the greater Dublin area without rail connectivity to its capital town. What has been missing over the past decade has been the political will to make this happen.

When the report lands on the Minister's desk, I am confident that the scoring matrix used by the NTA that would be required to recommend the line to Navan will stack up because of the critical analysis of population growth undertaken by Meath County Council. However, this Commencement matter is not just about the analytics; it is also about the human side. Significant research was done through interviewing people. Behaviour & Attitudes was engaged to conduct field research on more than 3,000 citizens and a further online poll of 8,000 citizens. Their testimonies about the detrimental effects on their family lives were harrowing.

I hope that the Minister of State will make a positive statement about ensuring this line is be included in the NDP review.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I can hear the passion for this project in the Senator's voice.

I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Department of Transport. Under the review of the NDP, the Department is examining its investment plans in light of the programme for Government. The plan is based around outcomes. The Senator is correct, in that I will refer to the sustainable mobility of 1 million people. That is what we are discussing in the national development plan as opposed to specific projects. The Department's submission to the review examines the plan at a policy level and identifies revised strategic priorities instead of entering into a discussion of particular projects. However, I will discuss Navan in a moment. A draft national investment framework for transport in Ireland will underpin the Department's submission. It has four priorities: decarbonisation; protection and renewal; enhanced regional accessibility; and the sustainable mobility of people and goods in urban areas.

The issue of a rail connection to Navan is being re-examined as part of the NTA's review of the 20-year transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. The NTA is required to review and update the strategy every six years. That review is well under way. Initial public consultation has taken place and I am sure the Senator made a submission to it. The NTA has engaged external expertise to re-examine the feasibility of a Navan rail line. This assessment will be inputted into the overall review. The next step is a second round of public consultation on the draft revised strategy, which is expected to take place in the autumn. The Senator will be able to make a submission at that point as well.

I acknowledge what he said about an evidence-based scenario, a score-based metric and the fact that Navan is the only area without rail connectivity. I will pass his remarks on to the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. The Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 requires the preparation of a transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. The current strategy was published in 2016 and extends to 2035. The Act requires the strategy to be reviewed every six years. In line with this statutory framework, the NTA's transport strategy for the greater Dublin area is under review. The first stage of the consultation on the initial issues paper ended in January. In late 2020, the NTA appointed technical consultants to develop an assessment study incorporating a comprehensive analysis of the business case for a potential extension of the existing rail line from the M3 parkway close to Dunboyne to Navan. The outcome of the assessment is intended to inform an update of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area.

The Senator mentioned Meath County Council. I understand the NTA is working closely with the council on undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the benefits of the project, encapsulating economic, environmental and societal benefits. A multi-criterion analysis of options in accordance with a common appraisal framework for transport projects and programmes is also due to commence shortly.An appraisal framework for transport projects and programmes is also due to commence shortly. A second round of public consultation is expected to be conducted in early autumn, probably September, with the revised strategy ready for publication mid-2022.

Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail)
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I find it hugely disappointing and disrespectful that the speech provided to the Minister to read out is a word-for-word, copy-and-paste job of a parliamentary question from earlier this year. It is disrespectful to me, this House, the issue and the people of Meath.

I was specific in my Commencement matter. It related to something that is happening this week. The Minister of State said that no doubt I contributed to the public consultation. I did and I am blue in the face contributing to public consultations. I have held meetings with the NTA and with the Irish Rail CEO, who is hugely supportive of this project. The work the Minister of State referred to in her speech as under way is complete and on the desk of the CEO of the NTA, Anne Graham. This week it goes before the board for analysis and decision and going on the desk of the Minister.

I hope the Department, the Minister for Transport and the Government back it because the days of ignoring the people of Meath and Navan are over. The report is not under way but done and we need the cheque written for it now. I hope the Minister and the officials who send in statements of written parliamentary questions as a response hear that call. The people of Navan and Meath will not be disrespected.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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That was not a speech I read out. It was my own summary. I took the pertinent points and summarised them. It was not word for word.

Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail)
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I have it here in front of me-----

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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Will the Senator let the Minister of State speak?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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It is a different sheet I read from, compared to the opening statement I was given by the Department. I will take the points from the opening statement I was given. The Senator will appreciate I am not in the Department of Transport and am doing my best to try to disseminate the information to him.

As a ten-year plan, the NDP was scheduled for review in 2022. The Government has brought forward that review by a year and the NTA is working closely with Meath County Council to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the benefits of the product. There is a second round of public consultations in September and a revised strategy ready for approval and publication in mid-2022. I will bring the Senator's comments back to the Department of Transport.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming in to deal with quite a few Commencement matters this morning. It is greatly appreciated by the Members. I thank Senator Cassells as well.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, to the House.