Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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595. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to identify areas which require investment in the road and rail network; to restore projects set aside during the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16009/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The previous Government agreed a Capital Plan for 2016 to 2021 which set out a 7 year capital envelope for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport of over €10bn, representing almost 30% of the total spend envisaged. The transport element of this plan is predicated on three priorities which are: to keep the existing road and rail network well maintained and operating efficiently and safely; to address urban congestion and ensure that the public transport system has the capacity to meet growing demand to support competitiveness, economic growth and quality of life; and to encourage modal shift in traffic patterns so as to support our emission reduction targets.

We are in the first year of the plan which will see a gradual return to the necessary levels of investment to maintain our existing road and rail network to protect those assets now and into the future. The plan will in time provide for a major transport project for north Dublin (Metro North) to tackle congestion in an area of the country due to experience rapid population growth. It will also see a schedule of investments to expand and improve the road network around Ireland, some of which are identified in the plan.  Apart from projects specifically identified in the Capital Plan, such as Dart Underground and Metro North, there will be scope to consider the cost/benefit of restoring other projects which we were unable to progress during the economic downturn, as fiscal parameters allow.