Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of spending and the works being carried out on metro north during 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8220/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expand on his recent media comments regarding metro north; if he has ceased spending, planning and works on the metro north project until his review reports in September 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8221/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Metro North, comes under the remit of the NTA. The legislative basis for this is Section 11 (1) (e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority - The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the - provision of public transport infrastructure". Noting this, I will ask the NTA to provide the deputy with detail on the spending and works being carried out on Metro North in 2011.

In relation to Government policy regarding Metro North, as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, there will also be a comprehensive review of capital spending with a view to developing a new National Development Plan for 2012-2017. This review, which will take place against a background of new funding realities, will examine the costs and benefits of all capital projects against a range of economic, social and environmental criteria. Key considerations for transport will include the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards.

In relation to the large public transport projects in the Dublin area, the availability of funding, both from the Exchequer and private sources, will be a major consideration as will the contribution in the short, medium and long term to transport objectives and employment creation potential. Despite funding difficulties I will be seeking to ensure that at least one major rail or light rail project will go ahead and in this regard will examine all realistic options for delivery including delivery on an incremental, phased basis.

I have recently received correspondence regarding the enabling works for Metro North from both the Railway Procurement Agency and the National Transport Authority and I am considering the issues raised by them. In the meantime, planning work for the submission of a railway order application for the depot for Metro North continues. I expect the railway order to be concluded.