Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Transport the significant changes which have been implemented by his Department to date in 2005 in delivering the National Spatial Strategy; and the costs, benefits and savings that have accrued. [34082/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A substantial amount of work was undertaken by my Department and its agencies during 2005 to develop Transport 21. This work provides a key contribution to the delivery of the national spatial strategy and gives tangible support for the balanced regional development objectives set out in that strategy.

Transport 21 takes account of the linkages between transport and land use and spatial planning so as to develop a transport system that contributes to sustainable development in all its dimensions: economic, social and environmental. The development of Transport 21 was informed by and supports the policies set out in the national spatial strategy. It also takes account of the regional planning guidelines adopted during 2004 and was informed by and supports a number of regional land use and transportation strategies for the cities such as the Dublin Transportation Office's long-term strategy, A Platform for Change, and the Cork area strategic plan.

It is not possible to provide an estimate of the costs incurred or the benefits or savings realised as a result of this work at this stage. However, the implementation of Transport 21 will underpin our competitiveness, promote balanced regional growth and enhance the quality of life for generations to come.