John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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336. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the structure and timeframe he will take with regard to carrying out a full review of public transport policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12446/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to reviewing public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 lists publication of a new Public Transport Policy Statement as a key indicator of progress. My Department plans to undertake this work later this year.

The Statement will take cognisance of relevant initiatives in several other areas of public policy on which Government is already deeply engaged including the preparation of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), the Action Plan for Rural Development and a National Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaption Paper for the transport sector. There are a number of other considerations which will also have a bearing on the development of policy. For example, we will have to deliver a step change in the funding of public transport if we are to deliver and maintain a well-functioning transport system that will support economic recovery and deliver modal shift. I will be ensuring that a strong case in this regard is made as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Investment and Expenditure Review.

However, while all of these considerations are important, I'm clear that the ordinary citizen must be at the heart of public transport policy.  Placing the citizen at the heart of our policy will allow us to realise the true potential of public transport and allow it to play its full role in promoting both social progress and economic prosperity.