Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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582. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has read the document Investing in Our Transport Future: A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport; his views that it will be in line with the objectives laid out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, in particular in relation to our commitment to lowering our carbon emissions by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050 across the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3884/15]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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613. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that his Departments document Investing in Our Transport Future: A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport effectively addresses the need for carbon emission mitigation, as outlined in our commitments to the 2020 and 2050 EU carbon emissions climate legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3937/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 613 together.

My Department published a draft Framework “Investing in Our Transport Future” for public consultation in August last. The draft framework was drawn up by a steering group which set out to establish priorities and principles to guide future decisions around the level and focus of land transport investment.

Some 64 submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties. Having considered the submissions made, my Department is in the process of finalising a consultation report and resulting revisions that are proposed to the draft Framework.

Ireland has particularly challenging carbon emissions targets for 2020 and the Government has announced an ambition to radically reduce carbon emissions by 2050. The work undertaken by the Steering Group considered the role of land transport investment in carbon emissions mitigation.

The draft Framework highlighted the important role that improvements in the planning system and investment in public transport and cycling and walking can play in reducing emissions, particularly in urban areas.

However, for a significant proportion of car journeys in Ireland such modal shift is not a viable option. A significant change in the carbon emitting profile of the Irish vehicle fleet will be needed, and this is outside of the scope of the funding framework.  Similarly, any measures promoting or marketing modal shift or behavioural change to sustainable transport require current funding. They are therefore also outside of the scope of this particular document, which relates to the capital investment framework, although they are of course an important part of my Department's work more generally.  

Revisions are being made to the draft Framework in light of the consultation responses which will put greater emphasis on the interaction between transport investment decisions and mitigation of carbon emissions and the revised Framework will be published in due course.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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583. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the role of clean light rail transport in tackling carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3885/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I fully support the development of light rail projects in areas of appropriate existing or  predicted population levels which  have a sound business case and are affordable. I recognise the importance of light rail as part of a range of sustainable travel options in our efforts to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse emissions and mitigate against the impacts of climate change.  However the development of any new project is subject to the availability of funding once the priority of maintaining  existing assets to an appropriate standard is met.

Despite funding constraints the Luas Cross City, which is currently underway, was selected as a priority public transport project to be funded under the current capital plan. In creating a Luas network between the existing Green and Red lines the provision of Luas Cross City will be a critical element in reducing traffic congestion in Dublin City Centre. By reducing dependency on car travel it will also reduce CO2 and other greenhouse emissions.

A number of large public transport projects for the Dublin area are currently under review.  These are covered by the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study, the updated business case for DART Underground and a preliminary Business Case for the BRT to Swords. This Study is examining all 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.

I will consider the outcome of all these reports having regard to the costs and benefits of each project and to available Exchequer funding as well as other possible sources of funds. I expect to finalise this review by mid-2015.