Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Transport the way he proposes to complete Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42745/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has discussed the various elements contained in Transport 21; the progress to date towards the various objectives therein set out and referred to by him in his original announcement of the project; if he has received any views regarding any specific provisions desirable omissions or additions to the project; the extent to which he expects Transport 21 to proceed as planned notwithstanding economic factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42711/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 71 together.

As the Deputy is aware substantial progress has been made on Transport 21 since 2006:

· Four of the five major inter-urban motorways and the M50 upgrade have been completed and the final section of the M7 Dublin to Limerick will be open by the end of this year.

· The Cork-Midleton line and the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor and the Navan line have been completed.

· The Kildare railway line has been upgraded and a number of new Dublin suburban stations have opened.

· The Luas Docklands extension opened last December, the extension of the Green line to Cherrywood opened in October this year and the extension of the Red Line to City West is well advanced.

· The Irish Rail fleet has been renewed and over 500 buses have been purchased.

Due to the changed economic circumstances, it is now unlikely that all of the remaining projects originally identified in Transport 21 will be completed by 2015.

The position is that no projects have been cancelled and Transport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure into the future. Planning and design will continue on all projects in Transport 21 so as to be in a position to move to construction at the earliest possible date once financial circumstances permit.

The Department of Finance's Review of infrastructure investment priorities for the years 2010-2016, which was published in July 2010, was based on input from all Government departments.

In the Review €12.2 billion has been specifically provided for the Department of Transport's capital programme up to 2016. While this is a reduction from the original allocation of €15.9 billion for the years 2010-2015. However, improved value for money now available in procurement of infrastructure will go some way to bridge the shortfall.

The final capital funding allocation for my Department in 2011 and allocation for 2012-2014 will be settled in the context of decision on the Budget for 2011 and the 4 year plan currently being considered by Government.