Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 167: To ask the Minister for Transport the costings in respect of Transport 21; if his Department accepts the total cost at €34.4 billion has been reached on the basis of accurate assessment and predictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33155/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 171: To ask the Minister for Transport the role his Department will play in the organisation and delivery of the Transport 21 initiative announced on 1 November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33044/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 171 together.

Transport 21 is a fully costed programme. The €34.4 billion is based on the aggregate costs of the constituent projects and these are in turn primarily based on costs provided by the transport agencies. The agencies have confirmed that the costs and underlying assumptions are as rigorous as possible, taking account of the various stages of development, design and implementation of the projects. A greater degree of certainty can be attached to those projects that are already at an advanced stage of development. The difficulty in making accurate assumptions on final outturn costs for later projects has been addressed by providing contingency within individual projects where appropriate. On this basis I am satisfied that the total funding of €34.4 billion is sufficient for the full implementation of Transport 21.

My Department will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of Transport 21 by the various transport agencies and local authorities. A monitoring group is being established and will chaired by the Department of Transport. The group will include representatives of the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance and other relevant Departments and agencies. It will be responsible for the high-level monitoring of Transport 21 and reporting annually to Government on issues such as financial and physical progress.

I am convinced that we also need a new approach to transport in the greater Dublin area, delivered through a single authority, with real powers to ensure joined up thinking and delivery across all the transport modes. A team, chaired by Professor Margaret O'Mahony and reporting directly to me, has been appointed and charged with finalising a structure for the new transport authority, detailing its remit and responsibilities as well as identifying the human resources which are critical to the success of the body, taking into account best practice and best experience internationally.