Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reviewing his Department's focus away from road infrastructure towards a more rail centred policy approach in view of Ireland's EU 2030 emissions targets and the role of the transport sector in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38767/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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In order for Ireland to effectively and equitably contribute to the EU emissions reduction commitments, an ambitious low-carbon development strategy, the National Mitigation Plan, is currently being developed. In the Plan, specific focus is being placed on the sectorial areas of electricity generation, the built environment, agriculture and transport. While responsibility for meeting Ireland's EU emissions reduction targets is a collective one, transport will be required to play a significant role in the national mitigation effort.

The measures under consideration for transport will be wide-ranging and will focus on modal shift, behavioural change and large scale movement to alternative fuels and technologies.  Within this context, we must be careful not to undermine the capacity of our transport system, including the road network, to respond to the challenge of reducing emissions.  The delivery and maintenance of high quality road infrastructure is crucial for the efficient transportation of all vehicles, not least buses, coaches and bicycles.

For future investment in transport infrastructure, my Department's overarching priorities are to achieve steady state maintenance of strategically important existing networks, to address urban congestion and to maximise the contribution that all our land transport networks can make to national development.

Thorough appraisal of all new infrastructural proposals is conducted, to ensure the taxpayer receives value for money on the investment. This includes a full appraisal of environmental impacts, including CO2 emissions, and so the impact of transport infrastructure on carbon mitigation is fully taken into account in investment decisions.

As the Deputy will know, the role of heavy rail in Ireland’s transport sector is currently under review. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched in mid-November with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 – which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann – together with the NTA consultation document “The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery”. Both documents are available on the NTA’s website.  The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the role of rail in Ireland and the funding of the rail network and services. This process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of heavy rail in Ireland.  The public consultation process will run until 18th  January and the NTA will then prepare a report based on the findings which I intend to bring to Government.