Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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467. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if meetings have previously been scheduled between him and the European co-ordinator for the North Sea-Mediterranean TEN-T corridor; if he has met with the European co-ordinator; if not, the reason the meetings did not take place; and his views on whether the TEN-T corridor is vital for the further development of infrastructure within the State. [38495/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The European Co-ordinator for the North Sea Mediterranean Core Corridor, Professor Balazs, was due to visit both Northern Ireland and Ireland in late June but due to scheduling issues and uncertainty after the outcome of the UK Referendum, this visit was postponed.

I have asked for this meeting to be arranged again and my officials have been in contact with the office of the European Co-ordinator. It is hoped that this visit will now occur in Spring 2017.

As a small peripheral open trading economy it is vital that European transport infrastructure is efficient and effective and enhances Ireland's transport connectivity to the transport networks of our European partners. The NSMED Core Corridor Work Plan will contribute to this objective in a joined up manner and my officials will continue to work with NSMED Corridor Forum stakeholders, officials from the European Commission, the European Co-ordinator and other Member States in implementing this plan and seeking European co-funding for the implementation of projects in Ireland along this corridor. In this context, I look forward to meeting Prof Balazs when he visits Ireland.