Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which the public capital transport programme is expected to proceed in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47224/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining public transport investment priorities in the coming years. 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 measures are also 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.

All of the public transport projects currently under construction will continue on schedule and some, such as the Cork — Midleton line, Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor and the Luas extension to the Docklands, will be completed in the course of the year. The start and completion dates of public transport projects, which have not yet commenced, will be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. The commencement dates for these projects will also be influenced by the time taken for public consultation, the relevant statutory process and the procurement and contract award processes.