Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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299. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in his discussions at European Union level in relation to Brexit, he will emphasise the urgent need to provide major financial assistance towards the upgrading of infrastructure, particularly the road network in the Border region, in view of comments attributed to him as being in support of a major investment in the Belfast Dublin rail link; his views on whether the Border region will be the most severely affected by Brexit; if its infrastructural needs will be given priority in all investment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21066/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am aware from stakeholder consultations with various groups including freight, tourism, aviation and local  organisations including in particular from the discussions at the All -Island Sectoral Dialogue on Transport and Tourism in January 2017  in Dundalk  which I hosted, of the concerns and implications for Border regions of Brexit.

My officials continue to engage in stakeholder consultations and the outcome informs the analyses of the Department and feeds into the Government's overall position on Brexit which is being managed on a whole of Government basis, with overall responsibility resting with the Department of the Taoiseach.

Regarding investment in Roads as the Deputy is probably  aware, the transport element of the Capital Plan sets out investment priorities to 2022 and was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport (SFILT). Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work. A further €600 million has been allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway and the balance for the limited number of road improvement projects included in the Plan.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that there is a total of €2.6bn in additional funding available between 2018 and 2021 for allocation under the Review of the Capital Plan. While I am  conscious of the many competing demands for extra resources, my Department has submitted a very strong case for additional funding consistent with the principles identified in SFILT and a number of the proposed measures, if approved for funding, will be of benefit to the border counties. 

The main emphasis of funding for the rail network in the Government's Capital Plan is on the maintenance of the existing network to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose. The Northern rail line plays an important role in linking communities North and South of the Border. Iarnród Éireann and Translink have established a joint Enterprise Board chaired by the CEO's of both companies aimed at implementing improvements to the Enterprise cross-border Dublin/Belfast service. 

The full implications for Ireland of the UK leaving the EU will only become clear once formal Brexit negotiations progress. The Government will continue to plan for and mitigate the associated risks of Brexit throughout the EU/UK withdrawal process.