Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Department of Transport

Public Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will rule out a large scale programme of cutbacks to public bus and rail services in view of the critical nature of public transport services for commuters and workers across Ireland; if he is examining proposals for a programme of cutbacks at all of the CIE companies; if so what this programme will entail; the way cutbacks in public transport services will affect the Government's stated policy on achieving a modal shift to public transport and significantly reduce transport carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/09]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I set out the position regarding the financial position of CIÉ and its subsidiary companies in my reply to Question No. 62 on 17th December 2008. It is a matter for CIÉ and its subsidiary companies, within the resources available to them from fare revenue and Exchequer subvention to optimise the management of their services to ensure the financial stability of the companies and the CIÉ group while maintaining as high a level of service as possible. Decisions in regard to service rationalisations necessary to restore balance in the companies' finances are matters for the companies. I published yesterday the report by Deloittes on a Cost and Efficiency Review of Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus and I have asked the Chairman of both companies to bring forward at an early date a programme to implement the recommendations in the report.

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will publish the consultants report (details supplied) on CÍE; the reason there has been a delay in publishing this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1555/09]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The report referred to by the Deputy was received last week and was published yesterday. Copies have been placed in the Oireachtas library.

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects construction works to begin for metro north; the level of Exchequer funding that has been ring-fenced for metro north for each of the next five years; the level of private funding that has been secured for metro north for each year over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 1557/09]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Metro North is being delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). In January last year, the Government approved the funding structure for the Metro North PPP, including an Exchequer provision for advance works ahead of the main PPP contract and a capital contribution during construction. Good progress is being made in the delivery of Metro North. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) lodged copies of the Railway Order application for Metro North with An Bórd Pleanála in September 2008 and their decision in that regard is awaited. In addition, the RPA continues to make good progress on the PPP tender process for Metro North. Receipt of tenders is now required by end February this year.

As I have stated previously, I am not in a position, given its commerciality sensitivity, to give any information in relation to the budget for Metro North in advance of the completion of the public procurement process. The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects, which have not yet commenced, will be determined by the outcome of the statutory approval and procurement processes and the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. My priority for public transport is to deliver additional capacity across all modes as quickly as possible and major projects, such as Metro North, will be hugely important in this regard.

This year I have allocated in excess of €200m to the Railway Procurement Agency to progress Luas and Metro projects, including provision for the start of enabling works on Metro North. The amount of expenditure on Metro North in 2009 is contingent on the grant of an enforceable railway order by An Bórd Pleanála. In accordance with the requirements of the Government decision on Transport 21, Metro North will be submitted to Government for a final decision on the project on the completion of the tender process.

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