Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1041. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 14 October 2017, his views on whether this demonstrates a disagreement with the draft national planning framework NPF which states (details supplied); his views on whether the national planning framework takes precedence over the National Transport Authority's transport strategy for the greater Dublin area 2016-2035; and if in the context of a disagreement between the plans, the NTA will have to revise its strategic plans to reflect NPF priorities, such as examining heavy rail access to Dublin airport. [46455/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the National Planning Framework (NPF) which was published for public consultation in September, includes the following key growth enabler for Dublin: “Improving access to Dublin Airport, to include improved public transport access, connections from the road network from the west and north and in the longer term, consideration of heavy rail access to facilitate direct services from the national rail network in the context of potential future electrification”.

The NPF recognises the statutory arrangements for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area under the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the transport planning policy set out in the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035. Indeed, the NPF includes a National Strategic Outcome to “Deliver the key public transport objectives of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 by investing in projects such as New Metro North, DART Expansion Programme, BusConnects in Dublin and key bus based projects in the other cities and towns”.

The NTA is required under legislation to review its transport strategy every six years following publication and it is a requirement that there be consistency between the transport strategy and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the GDA – thus ensuring that spatial planning and transport planning for the area are appropriately aligned. 

I do not consider that there is any inconsistency arising between the draft NPF and the NTA’s Transport Strategy as the relevant NPF key growth enabler refers to longer term policy in relation to potential electrification of the heavy rail network.  My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the NTA to ensure alignment between the National Planning Framework and the Transport Strategy for the GDA.