Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the planning of a post Transport 21 programme in view of projected population increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46449/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Transport the way the 7% cut in the public transport investment programme will affect the roll out of public transport infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46375/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Transport the degree to which the original objectives set out in Transport 21 remain achievable in full within the projected timeframe; if the progress to date is in accord with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46396/08]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Transport the commencement and completion dates for each public transport infrastructure project in Transport 21; if he will list each project that has been delayed or deferred indefinitely and provide a reason for each delay; if Transport 21 will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46347/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 83, 88 and 120 together.

At the launch of Transport 21, the Government identified the projects in the national roads, public transport and regional airports sectors that it wishes to see prioritised for development in the ten-year period from 2006 to 2015 and provided indicative completion dates for the major projects contained.

Significant progress has been made on Transport 21 in its first three years and a number of projects have been completed and others are well advanced in planning terms.

A very extensive construction programme is also currently underway and a number of additional projects were approved recently to go to construction, including the N18 Gort to Crusheen, the Citywest Luas extension and Phase 1 of the Navan rail line.

The adjustment in the capital allocation for Transport 21 in 2009 has brought about a re-examination of the priorities in the investment programme. My priorities for investment in national roads are the completion of the major interurban network by 2010 and the progressive development of the Atlantic Road Corridor. I understand from the NRA that it is currently in the process of drawing up its programme of works for 2009 based on its funding allocation for the year.

On the public transport side, the provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining investment priorities. Given their potential to greatly increase capacity of the public transport network in the Greater Dublin Area, Metro North and the DART Underground are key priorities. Investment in increased bus capacity, subject to the outcome of the cost and efficiency review of the CIE bus companies, and bus priority are also investment priorities.

The adjustment in capital funding in 2009 will not have a significant effect on the roll out of the Transport 21 public transport programme and will not result in the postponement of the start of construction of any public transport project.

The planning of the major transport capital projects identified in Transport 21 is continuing and these will be released for construction as soon as they are through statutory procedures and the available financial resources permit and consistent with the priorities I have outlined.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to commence the preparation of a successor to Transport 21 in 2011. This work will take account of the updated CSO population projections.