Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Transport the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost-benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit-cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37353/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As the planning, design, and implementation of transport infrastructure improvement projects including the carrying out of cost-benefit analysis is a matter for the implementing agencies as part of the appraisal process applicable to capital projects the information sought by the Deputy in relation to individual projects is held by these agencies. It should be noted that cost benefit analysis is only one element in the appraisal of transport investment projects. The appraisal also addresses environmental issues, safety benefits etc. In this context the outcome of a cost-benefit analysis is not simply a pass or fail criterion.

The development of Transport 21 took account of investment priorities under the five-year capital envelope to end in 2009 and of the various strategic studies already completed by my Department and its agencies, including A Platform for Change, the strategic rail review and the national road needs study. More specifically, my Department also engaged with Córas Iompair Éireann, the Railway Procurement Agency, the National Roads Authority and the Dublin Transportation Office. This process enabled my Department to identify the broad direction and investment priorities for the ten year period. From this, the Department and its agencies developed the full scale of projects to be implemented under Transport 21.

The projects within Transport 21 will be subject to normal statutory procedures where required, capital appraisal in line with the Department of Finance guidelines and the value for money initiatives set out in the Minister for Finance's speech of 20 October 2004.

Some elements of the overall investment programme, including metro north and the rail investment programme for the greater Dublin area, have had business cases prepared for them by their promoting agencies. These business cases included an economic evaluation. The outcomes of these processes will of course be kept under review to ensure that the projects continue to be in sympathy with the investment priorities and outcomes set out in Transport 21.