Speech by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey T.D. at the launch of Transport 21 Annual Report 2007

Speech by Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport at the launch of Transport 21 Annual Report


5 March 2008


Introduction:

When the Government announced the full details of Transport 21 two years ago, we did so with one clear fact in mind: for Ireland's future, transport is vital. The importance of Ireland's transport infrastructure, to both our economic and social development, cannot be underestimated, and will not be underestimated by this Government.

We have witnessed a decade of unprecedented growth and development in Ireland. This has affected every aspect of how we live, and work. The free and easy movement of goods, and of ideas is second nature to us today. In our work, and in our social and family lives, we need to be able to move freely around our country in a variety of different ways.

Our recent economic development put pressure on an infrastructure designed at a different time, and for a different Ireland. We are absolutely committed to overhauling that infrastructure, transforming our transport network for today, and underpinning our economic development for tomorrow.

Transport 21 is clearly an economic necessity for our island. But more than this, Transport 21 is helping to link people and communities, and is contributing significantly to a better quality of life for us all. Transport 21 is bringing cities, towns, and villages closer together, bridging the gap between urban and rural Ireland.

We recently marked Work Life Balance Day, aimed at highlighting the need to balance work responsibilities with family and social life. With our faster-paced lives, and increasingly pressured lifestyles, Transport 21 will increasingly ease the burden on commuters. The ongoing improvements, especially those in public transport, will help people to achieve a better balance by reducing travel times, giving working parents more time with their children, and allowing for greater family time, social time, and leisure time.

This is what Transport 21 means for Ireland. With a total investment package of €34 billion, Transport 21 is the largest ever investment in our transport infrastructure. In the ten year lifetime of Transport 21, from 2006-2015, €108 per second is being spent to transform Ireland's transport infrastructure. From now until 2015, this coordinated and integrated plan will deliver tangible improvements in road, rail and air infrastructure in every part of the country.

Our commitment to improving Ireland's transport infrastructure is unprecedented in the history of the State. Last year alone we spent €2.8 billion transforming road, rail and air links, an increase of 33% on 2006. Since Transport 21 was unveiled, a total of €4.7 billion has now been spent in delivering a transport infrastructure worthy of a dynamic economy, and progressive country, in the 21st century.

And, in recognition of the importance of giving people environmentally responsible travel options, the 2007 spend on public transport improvements was more than €640 million. This amounts to an increase of 82% in spending on public transport in 2007 when compared with 2006, and illustrates the commitment of this Government to giving people real transport alternatives, and green transport alternatives.

In the context of this historic investment in our transport infrastructure, it is important to acknowledge the significant assistance that Ireland has traditionally received from the European Union. Funding from Europe has been of real assistance in supporting major transport upgrading works in all parts of Ireland. For the future, the European Union remains critical to Ireland's future economic, allowing us open trading access to a community of 27 Member States and almost 500 million consumers.

The Government is supporting the Lisbon Treaty, with its focus on reform of this Union which has grown so significantly in recent years, as it is the best way to underpin economic development and stability for Ireland, and for Europe.

Looking at some of the specific aspects of Transport 21, it is clear that the progress that we made in 2007 was very significant.

Major Inter-Urban Routes (MIUs):

The Transport 21 masterplan outlines the development of 5 Major Inter-Urban Routes (MIUs) linking Dublin with Northern Ireland, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

In 2007, the first of the five planned MIUs was completed, with the opening of the final section of the M1 Dublin Border motorway.
86% of the five planned MIUs are now either open to traffic or under construction, with the remainder having now passed through the statutory approval process.
In fact, by the end of 2007, over 600 kilometres of the planned 738 kilometres of MIUs was either open to traffic or under construction.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) is well on target to complete the remaining inter-urban routes by 2010. These major road developments, which I believe are exceptionally important for the economic development of Ireland north and south, east and west are being delivered on time, and on budget.

M50:

Substantial work also took place on the ongoing upgrade of the M50 motorway, and by 2010 the capacity of the M50 will have increased by 50%.

National Roads:

National road projects have also benefitted considerably over the past 12 months.

11 national road projects were completed in 2007, and
Construction commenced on a further 10 new national road developments.
Public Transport Improvements:

In 2007 there was a very significant increase in Transport 21 funding directed towards public transport. The Government understands that if the Irish public is to change its transport habits for good, then it must be given an alternative to the car.

In line with this Government's strong commitment to environmental protection, Transport 21 spending on public transport improvement increased by 82% last year. This has delivered real, tangible benefits to commuters and the broader travelling public.

Last March, the Docklands railway station opened 2 years ahead of schedule.
Construction commenced on the Luas extensions to Cherrywood and Docklands.
The length of Luas trams on the Tallaght line was extended, and this will deliver a 40% increase in capacity by May of this year.
Dublin Bus introduced 73 new buses into service.
New Intercity railcars were introduced on the Sligo line.
Hourly return rail services were introduced on the Dublin to Cork route, with passenger numbers growing by 14%.
Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor started, and
The upgrading of the Kildare rail line also commenced, to permit a major increase of services on the route.
Alongside these significant public transport developments, the process for delivering Metro North an exceptionally important transport initiative for Dublin City and Dublin Airport was commenced.

And, design work for the Interconnector linking Hueston and Pearse Stations with new stations at Docklands, St Stephen's Green and High Street continued. Public consultation on this project also commenced last year, in July.

Regional Airports:

Finally, regional airports have also benefited, with investment of more than €80 million being approved for Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry Airport, Sligo Airport, Donegal Airport, Waterford South East Regional Airport, and Galway Airport.

Value For Money:

Transport 21 is the most extensive package of investment in Ireland's transport infrastructure. The Government is committed to ensuring that Transport 21 meets the highest of standards in value for money terms. Extensive monitoring arrangements have been put in place involving the Department of Transport, the implementing agencies, the Inter-Departmental Monitoring Group and the Programme Board.

Expenditure on Transport 21 projects was reviewed on a monthly basis, and funding was reallocated in the light of spending patterns. An audit programme was also put in place, and a total of nine projects were reviewed by independent auditors. Following this, a system to track audit recommendations was agreed.

In addition, general construction cost trends were monitored on a regular basis, and no evidence was found to indicate that costs were escalating at an excessive rate in 2007.

Conclusion:

The 2007 achievements that I have outlined are just a snapshot of some of the many significant improvements that Transport 21 delivered last year. Across the country, Transport 21 is redeveloping and revitalising Ireland's transport infrastructure road, rail, and air for present and future generations.

And, with almost €3 billion in spending for 2008, Transport 21 is continuing to make very significant progress in transforming Ireland's transport infrastructure. This year, a focus on public transport will remain a key priority.

The work that Transport 21 is undertaking will support the continued economic development of our country over the coming decades. For the years ahead, Transport 21 will facilitate business across Ireland, will enable people to move freely across the capital and around the country, and will give us all a real choice when it comes to public transport.

As is clear for the Second Report to Government, the Transport 21 transformation is well underway.



ENDS



Contact Details
The Department of Transport,
Transport House,
Kildare St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: + 353 1 670 7444
or Locall 1890 443 311
Email: info@transport.ie

Click for the Transport 21 Annual Report 2007