Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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633. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop a western arc from Cork to Belfast, which has equal priority to the current eastern arc; if his Department has set out or plans to set out any timeframe for the development of rail, motorway, energy and broadband links for the west and north-west; if any consideration has been given towards the support for the western corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42525/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government's policy in relation to the funding of capital projects to 2016, including the development of rail and road links, is set out in the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework". Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure the priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards.   The limited funding available over and above this priority will only be provided for projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Programme for Government and in particular the commitment that: "We will insist that major capital projects are subjected to proper cost-benefit analysis and evaluation, improving future productivity and growth prospects, and that the value-for-money obtained is significantly enhanced compared to the most recent period."

Despite the current financial position, a number of key PPP road projects are being progressed as part of the Government's Stimulus Package, among them, the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam. Subject to the finalisation of funding arrangements for the N17/N18, it is hoped that the project will go to construction in 2014. The development of other national routes, along the Atlantic Corridor remains a longer-term objective of this Government.  The motorway to Gort was completed in 2010 and in 2012 the only national road which commenced construction was the N5 Ballaghderreen By-Pass.

In relation to public transport I  recently opened a new rail station at Oranmore.  Other funds are being devoted to improving and integrating the public transport service in Galway with main rail and bus station upgrades, bus lane extensions, provision of Real Time Passenger Information, a city bikes scheme, and a range of projects to promote walking and cycling. Funding is also being provided for the railway safety programme at around €100m per annum which benefits all the network. I have  no plans to extend the Western Rail Corridor as there  are no funds to develop new rail links in any part of the country or to provide subsidies for more  loss making routes.

Matters relating to energy and broadband come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Finally, I have indicated to the House previously, there are no plans to develop a so-called "Western Arc", or indeed a so-called “Eastern Arc”.