Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it would be beneficial to have an integrated statutory body responsible for all modes of public transport and roads infrastructure in the region that acts separately from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and the National Roads Authority, NRA, in view of the size and demographics of the greater Dublin area transport area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42179/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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In Ireland, with some exceptions, transport infrastructure and services are currently provided and facilitated through my Department and its agencies with a national rather than a local focus. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory non-commercial body tasked with undertaking strategic planning of transport, investing in all public transport infrastructure and developing the effective management of traffic and transport demand for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was established through a merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency under the Roads Act 2015, with effect from 01/08/15. The TII's primary function is to provide an integrated approach to the future development and operation of the national roads network and light rail infrastructure throughout Ireland.

Under the amended Dublin Transport Act 2008, the NTA is responsible for the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), 2016-2035 which I adopted in April 2016 and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Strategy will guide decisions on transport throughout the region and will contribute to the economic, social and cultural progress of the GDA (counties Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare) by providing for the efficient, effective and sustainable movement of people and goods. The NTA is also responsible for submitting observations to the relevant Minister on whether it believes draft local development plans and proposed variations to local development plans are consistent with its transport strategy.

The Government recently published for public consultation “Ireland 2040 – Our Plan”, which will guide national, regional and local planning opportunities throughout Ireland together with investment decisions for at least the next two decades. The enhanced development of Ireland’s five cities is fundamental to Ireland 2014, requiring a strongly co-ordinated focus within the metropolitan functional areas on a range of key issues. The planning and strategic development policies set out in Ireland 2040 will better support the development of an integrated and sustainable public transport system.