Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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623. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the programme for Government commitments on public transport; and the status of implementing same. [17835/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a number of commitments relating to public transport. The Programme commits to a review of public transport policy. To advance this commitment, the Deputy might also be aware that I recently announced my intention to establish a Stakeholder Dialogue on the issue of Public Transport. It is vital that stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their opinions on public transport policy issues and these issues are then considered as part of the formal policy review. I believe that a Stakeholder Dialogue provides the appropriate forum to allow stakeholders to make a meaningful contribution towards policy development. It is also important that the Review will take cognisance of recent developments in other relevant areas of public policy such as the preparation of a new National Planning Framework, the Action Plan for Rural Development, a National Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaption Paper for the transport sector. My Department is currently scoping out the proposed approach to the work. The full Review will then take place as soon as possible.

With regard to other commitments in the Programme for Government, funding is provided in the Capital Plan to facilitate construction of the new Metro North link commencing in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/2027. The Luas Cross City project is on target to be delivered within budget with operations due to commence in the final quarter of 2017. No decisions on any future changes to the rail network, including the Western Rail Corridor will be made before the Government has had the opportunity to consider the result of the NTA's consultation process on the Rail Review.

Finally, the Programme for Government also commits to making public transport services more accessible for people with disabilities. Accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from design stage and there is an ongoing programme to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities to improve accessibility. My Department is also undertaking a review of the actions in the Sectoral Plan 'Transport for All' and this will be progressed over the coming months.