Written answers

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Trans-European Transport Network

8:00 pm

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1011: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Arc from Belfast-Knock Airport-Cork is not included in the EU CER list of pre-approved projects under the proposals for the new European Parliament Regulations on the Trans European Transport Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40985/11]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission published its proposals for the so-called "Connecting Europe Facility" (CEF) on 19 October last. The objective of the proposal – from a transport perspective - is to develop a multi-modal transport network for freight and passengers across Europe which is fit for purpose by 2030. The CEF proposal includes an appendix with details of 10 "pre-identified projects" which the Commission describe as Core Network Corridors. These have been identified by the Commission according to a specific methodology consistent with the overall objectives of the proposal – including, inter alia, projected traffic flows on the network. Ireland is included in one of ten priority "Core Network Corridors". This is broadly defined as the "Dublin- London-Paris-Brussels" Corridor which also includes links to Belfast and Cork. It should be noted that member states are not free to include whichever links they so wish.

Knock Airport is included in the so-called Comprehensive Network which is set out in the Commission's proposals for a Trans-European Network (TENS-T) which was published at the same time as the CEF proposal. The Comprehensive Network is intended to provide for seamless traffic flows to the Core Network – where the level of projected traffic flows and associated specifications are not as high as those for the Core Network.

The Commission's CEF and TENS T proposals are currently being negotiated through the ordinary legislative procedure – i.e. with Council (Member State Governments) and with the European Parliament. The negotiations are still at an early stage and the proposals are likely to change over the course of the negotiation process. It is worth pointing out that the level of EU funding available for the development of the Core Network under the CEF (€21 bn) represents under 10% of the estimated overall costs associated with the upgrade works envisaged to the transport network across Europe (€250bn). In other words, it would require Member States to provide the remaining 90%. As the proposals stand, inclusion in the Core Network would legally oblige Member States to ensure delivery of the upgrades / enhancements envisaged by 2030 or potentially face infringement proceedings and fines.

Therefore it is important to understand that TENS T is not aspirational. Rather it involves very onerous financial commitment on individual member states. As the regulations stand, including the 'Arc' as proposed by the Deputy would Ireland to build a fully electrified ERTMs railway between Belfast, Knock and Cork by 2030 which is neither affordable nor is it supported by any cost benefit analysis. Moreover, Belfast is located in the United Kingdom and the UK Department of Transport is not proposing to include a link from Belfast to Derry in the Core rail network.

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