Government defends removal of 2:1 ratio of spending on public transport versus roads in new plan

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien said the Cork Luas project was at an early stage but there was flexibility within the budget to bring projects forward if they advance quickly.

The Government has defended the removal of a 2:1 ratio of spending on public transport versus roads projects in its latest transport plan

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien pushed back on suggestions the Government was moving towards a more even ratio, despite a difference of just €400m between the the two levels of spend.

In total, the National Development Plan will allocate €10.1bn to public transport projects, €9.7bn to roads, €1.8bn to active travel and greenways, €44.6m to civil aviation, €145m to maritime transport and safety and €231m towards ICT.

A total of €2bn will go towards the development of Metrolink, which will come from the Government’s climate and nature fund.

Mr O’Brien was asked why the Government had moved away from the previous coalition’s commitment to a 2:1 ratio of spending on public transport versus roads.

That commitment had been a key priority for the Green Party in Government.

In response, Mr O’Brien rejected assertions the €10.1bn spend on public transport and €9.7bn spend on roads were one-to-one.

“We’ve never seen as many public transport projects actually being delivered in a five-year period,” Mr O’Brien said, citing further investment in Metrolink.

“In relation to roads, roads are critical for connectivity and actually from a road safety perspective and a climate perspective as well.

Many roads projects have been waiting a significant length of time, that drive economic development, that improve quality of life for citizens and communities as well.

Projects confirmed to be in the plan include the progression of the Cork Area Commuter Rail project to phase two, multiple expansions to the Dublin Dart network, expansion of the Luas network and the Western Rail Corridor.

Asked about the prospect of the Cork Luas being moved forward, Mr O’Brien said the project was at an early stage but there was flexibility within the budget to bring projects forward if they advance quickly.

He cited the Luas Finglas as a project which could be advanced more quickly, with the extension currently expected to begin in 2029.

Within the document, there are a number of roads projects which have been earmarked to begin construction by 2030, including the Galway Ring Road, the N25 between Midleton and Youghal, the N4 between Maynooth and Leixlip, and the N11 between Oilgate and Rosslare.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Brien said it would be a “stretch” to see the Metrolink begin construction in 2027, after a judicial review was lodged on Tuesday.

He said he believed it was “hard to quantify” the possible impact of the judicial review on the construction timeline.

“This may delay it for a matter of months and it’s still open for people to reflect on the decision that they’ve taken to judicially review this project,” Mr O’Brien said.

The judicial review into the project was confirmed on Tuesday, with a group of residents in Ranelagh bringing the challenge.

Mr O’Brien floated the prospect of the Metro being constructed in different phases, with the possibility of allowing it to operate while other sections of the track are completed.