Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase investment in an all-Ireland public transport network. [8615/11]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand an all-Ireland rail network on an accelerated basis, including an extended western rail corridor serving counties Donegal and Derry, the Derry-Dublin rail link and the west Cork railway network. [8622/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 53 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The provision of transport services in this jurisdiction is a matter for individual transport operators, and where appropriate in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. The question of the development of public transport services and investment in Northern Ireland is a matter for the authorities in Northern Ireland in the first instance. However I understand that there is a level of ongoing co-operation and coordination between public transport providers in both jurisdictions to provide customers with appropriate services.

As the Deputy will be aware issues relating to cross-border public transport services are discussed under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council with a focus on the main rail link between Dublin and Belfast. In relation to future transport investment, the Government has announced the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework from 2012 to be overseen by my colleague Mr Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This will involve a comprehensive review of all capital spending by my Department.

The review will focus on the overall cost and benefits of projects and programmes, including their overall economic impact and their employment creation potential. The review will of course need to take account of new funding realities. A major priority will be to protect existing investment and maintain safety standards. This of necessity will limit the scope for new projects with only those offering the highest return having a chance of being prioritised.