Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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550. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his Department's talks with the EU on the commitment in the programme for Government that, in the first three months, the new Government will apply to the European Union for the revision of the TEN-T core network, including applying for the reinstatement of the cross-border western arc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4460/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Under the Programme for Partnership Government, the Government committed to applying to the European Union for the revision of the TEN-T Core Network, including in relation to the Western Arc. A submission is being prepared for the European Commission for a revision of the TEN-T Core Network, which would seek to facilitate consideration of transport-related project proposals for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility for transport in the Western Arc region. The submission will also take into account the implications of Brexit on western and north-west regions.

My officials met the European Commissioner for Transport, Ms Violeta Bulc, and her officials in October 2017 in relation to transport issues, including the potential impacts of Brexit on Ireland’s connectivity and increased geographical isolation in the EU. In that context, my officials informed the Commissioner that a submission will be forthcoming. My officials also separately met with the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) in November of last year and briefed DG Move on the Government’s commitment and on the pending submission. DG Move advised that the submission would be considered on receipt but indicated that it may not meet the criteria for the Core Network. However, it noted that under the Regulation, a review of the implementation of the Core Network will take place by end 2023.