Written answers

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Transport Policy

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include Ireland’s western arc in the Ten-T review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8942/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The European Commission’s review of the 2013 Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation commenced in 2019.

My Department participated fully in the review process. In August 2019, my predecessor, Minister Ross, made a submission to the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, regarding the review. A copy of that submission, and Commissioner Bulc’s reply, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/3c921e-submission-to-commissioner-bulc-for-a-revision-of-the-core-ten-t-net/

In its engagement with the Commission during the review process, my Department sought changes in the methodology used to define which ports are included in the network. We asked for new criteria that recognise ports with high offshore renewable energy potential in order to seek the inclusion of Galway Port on the network.

Regarding the rail network, my Department informed the Commission that our position on the TEN-T rail network will be informed by the results of the ongoing all-island Strategic Rail Review and that we would hope to have the outcome of the Review reflected in the maps. The Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland and will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.  The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network.  That scope includes the Western Rail Corridor.

Regarding other transport modes on the Western Arc, major roads in the west are already included on the TEN-T Comprehensive network. Also on the Comprehensive TEN-T network are the airports of Donegal, Inis Mór, Kerry, Ireland West and Shannon. Cork airport and the Port of Cork and Shannon-Foynes port are on the Core TEN-T Network.

The Commission completed its review of the TEN-T Regulation in May 2021 and the evaluation report is available at the following link:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0117 

In December 2021, the EU Commission published its proposal for a revised TEN-T Regulation and negotiations on the text have now begun in Brussels. My Department is currently examining the proposal in depth to ensure that Irish concerns can be identified and addressed during the negotiation process.

The full text of the proposal is available here:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:812:FIN 

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects that have been submitted by the Government to the Ten-T review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8943/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In April 2019, the European Commission commenced the review of the TEN-T network with an evaluation of the existing TEN-T Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013. This review looked at TEN-T policy and methodology in the context of developments in the transport sector, digitalisation, climate and resilience.

No projects were submitted in the TEN-T review as this was a consultative process. However, my Department participated fully in this review and raised a number of issues with the Commission related to ports, road and rail infrastructure in Ireland.

The Commission published the results of this review in May 2021 and the report is available at the following link: 

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0117

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the final deadline date for the State to make a submission to the EU Commission on the Ten-T review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8944/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Commission’s review of the 2013 Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation commenced in 2019 and is now complete. My Department participated fully in this review process. The Commission published the results of this review in May 2021 and its report is available at this link:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0117 

Based on the results of this review and on its consultations with stakeholders, the EU Commission, in December 2021, published its proposal for a revised TEN-T Regulation. The text of the proposal is available at this link:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:812:FIN 

This proposal is now under negotiation in the Council of the European Union and in the European Parliament. During this process Member States and MEPs can seek changes to the Commission's proposal, including the network maps. There is no set timeframe for completion of the negotiations but it is likely that they will continue at least until the latter half of this year.

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