Written answers
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Public Transport Provision
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the options for creating a more effective public transport link from Dublin city centre to Dublin Airport; the status of DART underground and metro north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36784/14]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
Proposals for a Swiftway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network are included in the NTA’s Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018including along the Swords/Airport corridor. However, it is accepted that BRT will not on its own replace rail-based solutions where a higher capacity solution is required in the long-term, such as on the Swords/Airport corridor.
As a result the NTA is undertaking a technical consultancy (Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study) to assess the longer term rail transport requirements of the North Dublin/Fingal corridor, extending from Finglas to Malahide and including Dublin Airport and Swords. This review is examining existing proposals (heavy rail, metro, Luas extensions) as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the area’s needs in the long term.
In addition, the 2010 business case for DART Underground is currently being updated by the NTA.
The NTA have advised me that the DART Underground report and the outcome from the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study and the preliminary Business Case for the BRT to Swords will be available by early next year.
Following receipt and assessment of the reports from the NTA I will consider the options and priorities for addressing key public transport deficits in the GDA, including the Airport corridor, having regard to the costs and benefits, affordability, and funding options.
Significant additional Exchequer resources will be required to advance any new major project. The existing level of resources is targeted at protecting investments made to date and maintaining safety standards. If additional funds become available, there will be many competing projects from all transport modes in all regions.
I will only allocate additional funds for projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.
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