Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Transport the all-Ireland work which has been carried out in relation to transport; and if there have been discussions to establish an all-Ireland road and rail integrated public transportation strategy. [24240/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and its agencies, assisted by the framework provided by the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement, have been working closely with counterparts in Belfast and London to develop and implement transport policies, services and agreed initiatives so as to maximize the benefits for both jurisdictions. One of the most notable examples of this very practical all-island approach has been the development of the M1, where upgrading works to date on both sides of the border have already resulted in dramatically improved journey times. Meanwhile, significant improvements on the N2 from Dublin to the North West are being complemented by upgrades on the A5 in Northern Ireland, while the further development of the Atlantic Road Corridor from Waterford to the North West which is planned under the Transport 21 capital investment programme will have a beneficial impact on both sides of the border.

Further examples of this policy in action include: the decision in principle of both Governments to offer a joint package of funding to the City of Derry Airport. This airport is already linked to Dublin by an air service which is operated as a Public Service Obligation and funded by the Irish Government; close co-operation between the National Safety Council and the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment in developing joint road safety advertising campaigns; and work being undertaken by officials in both jurisdictions in the context of the British-Irish Council aimed at introducing bilateral arrangements for mutual recognition of driving disqualifications as envisaged in the EU Convention on Driving Disqualifications.

There is already a high level of co-operation and integration in the delivery of cross-border public transport services. Translink operate joint services with Bus Éireann on most of their cross-border routes, while Irish Rail are in discussions on an ongoing basis with NIR/Translink regarding the jointly-operated Enterprise service and options for its future development. There have been no discussions on the question of establishing a formal all-Ireland public transportation strategy. However, there is a clear record of making real progress on all-island transport issues through practical co-operation in the planning, delivery and improvement of both infrastructure and services. That policy will continue to underpin our efforts to achieve further tangible and cost-effective benefits for users of the island's public transport network.