Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the strategic investment framework for land transport being undertaken by his Department; and if he will report on his proposals to incorporate metro north into this framework. [54129/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Work on developing a strategic framework for investment in land transport is ongoing within my Department. The assessment of specific projects required to meet current and future demand will, however, remain subject to detailed appraisal of the benefits and costs of each individual project. Many issues shall be addressed in this investment framework. Future transport demand depends on a wide array of drivers, such as  projected demographic changes, land use and spatial patterns, employment levels, economic activity, the impact of climate and technological changes and indeed the levels of future car ownership. Work analysing historical investment levels in transport and trends in transport demand is complete and current work is focusing on assessing the broad impact of transport investment on the economy and on projecting future scenarios of transport demand.

A steering group is guiding this work, and stakeholders and advisers such as Forfas have been involved in identifying strategic priorities to ensure that our transport system best facilitates economic growth and human needs. A public consultation on the framework will take place to ensure that wider stakeholder needs and concerns are fully addressed. It is hoped that the Framework will be completed in the first half of 2014.

With regard to investment along the corridor in question I have received the NTA Implementation Plan to 2018 for the GDA,  for my approval. That Plan proposes a Bus Rapid Transit Scheme as an interim solution to the short term demand needs of the Swords/Airport  corridor. I am awaiting further details from the NTA on the proposal which I hope to receive in January but I believe the BRT option could offer a very feasible medium term solution to public transport demand on this important corridor.