Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to Questions Nos. 439 and 440 of 23 November 2005, if he will set out the agenda, minutes and agreed actions reached at the December 2000 ministerial meeting and the agenda for the February 2006 meeting; if he will further set out the agenda and minutes and agreed actions reached for the six BIC transport group meetings since 2000; and if he will further set out the programme, agenda and agreed actions at the workshop on 8 March 2004. [37423/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in my previous reply, Northern Ireland is the lead Administration for organisation and co-ordination of issues arising in the transport sector. Details of all previous BIC ministerial and BIC transport group meetings have been collated in consultation with the BIC secretariat and are summarised below.

The agenda for the first BIC transport ministerial meeting, which was held in Belfast on 19 December 2000, included opening remarks from Ministers, a draft work programme on transport issues and a draft communique. In summary, the minutes note that members of the BIC held a wide-ranging debate on the discussion paper prepared by the Northern Ireland Executive. Members agreed the need for an integrated and sustainable approach to transport issues, which would take account of the relevant economic, social and environmental context. The key areas identified as priorities for initial work by officials were the exchange of information and expertise on public private partnership, PPP, regional air links, road safety and an integrated transport framework. The agenda for the next ministerial meeting, which is provisionally scheduled to take place in Belfast on 9 February 2006, has not yet been finalised.

There have been six meetings of the BIC transport officials group. The key issues and agreed actions reached at each meeting are as follows. The first BIC transport group meeting was held on 4 December 2000. The agenda included a draft working paper and communiqué for the ministerial meeting on 19 December 2000. Practical arrangements for the ministerial meeting and for future transport group meetings were agreed. On 22 May 2002, the group met to consider the outline programme of work agreed following the ministerial meeting of 19 December 2000. On integrated transport, my Department identified possible proposals for taking forward work and members were invited to express their views. Regarding PPP, the Northern Ireland Administration agreed to investigate the possibility of establishing a forum for the exchange of views and experience between BIC members.

The agenda for the meeting of 21 February 2003 included work programme items on integrated transport, road safety, regional airlinks and PPP. My Department presented an updated paper on integrated transport to reflect comments submitted by Members since the previous meeting. It was agreed to take forward a proposal by my Department to conduct a study of transport links between member Administrations. The Northern Ireland Administration presented a paper on road safety. It was agreed that an exchange of views on driving and misuse of drugs would be of benefit to all members. It was agreed that a paper defining the objectives of a workshop on this topic would be prepared and circulated. Regarding regional airlinks, it was noted that the United Kingdom was due to publish a White Paper on the subject following an extensive consultation process. Regarding PPP, it was agreed that it would be useful for Northern Ireland to investigate the possibility of holding a seminar on this topic focusing on transportation needs.

At the meeting of 5 November 2004, the agenda focused on the agreed BIC work programme objectives. On integrated transport, the lead Administration proposed to circulate revised terms of reference for a scoping study intended to lead to more detailed research. It was proposed that relevant experts would evaluate various PPP models, with a view to making a recommendation on any aspects of the subject, which would form the basis for further work within the BIC transport group.

The workshop on driving and misuse of drugs, which was held on 8 March 2004, was also discussed and it was noted that further work on research in this area was proposed. It was agreed that the issue of mutual recognition of driving disqualifications would be considered for future co-operation and consultation by BIC member Administrations. The lead Administration circulated a draft transport work programme paper for a future BIC summit to be hosted in Northern Ireland.

The agenda and minutes of the meeting of 27 July 2005 included road safety issues, integrated transport and PPPs. Regarding road safety, there was a discussion on the legal complexities associated with the issue of mutual recognition of driving disqualifications and penalty points. It was noted that work on a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom on mutual recognition of driving disqualifications was progressing. It was also noted that a meeting of research experts would be arranged to examine the scope for closer co-operation in the area of driving and misuse of drugs. Regarding integrated transport, it was proposed that the group should consider redefining the objectives or content of this particular element of the BIC work programme. On PPPs, it was proposed that Administrations would identify relevant experts to participate in a workshop to share experience and expertise in the PPP area, given the different approaches adopted in each Administration.

The most recent meeting of the BIC transport group was held on 25 November 2005. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss an agenda for the ministerial meeting and to agree a work programme for officials in preparation for that meeting. Minutes of the meeting have not yet been circulated.

Regarding the drugs and driving workshop of 8 March 2004, the overall aim was to share information on action required to deal with the problem of drug driving within BIC Administrations from the enforcement, legislative, technical and research perspectives. A further workshop focusing on research in this area is currently being arranged. It is anticipated that a report of findings will issue following the workshop.