By Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent, 02 November 2005
Irish Examiner
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night pledged to push through the sweeping 10-year transport overhaul on time and within budget.
Stung by criticism that the Government has let some major capital projects soar over cost, Mr Ahern insisted the Transport 21 agenda was a historic leap forward, but a deliverable one.
The Taoiseach described the EUR34.4 billion attempt to transform Ireland’s transport network as the most significant investment of its kind in the history of the State.
Mr Ahern promised that “lessons had been learned from the past” and infrastructure programmes were now being completed in the time scale and price range intended.
“Transport 21 will transform our country. We were always going to be playing infrastructure ‘catch-up’ here,” he said as he launched the initiative in Dublin Castle.
“We need and deserve a first class transport system in this country. So we have to move from far behind into the lead.
“With Transport 21, we are now moving into the fast lane.”
However, the EUR34.4bn total was not broken down to give individual costings of particular projects.
Transport Minister Martin Cullen described the plan as “visionary, detailed, integrated and deliverable.”
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen claimed that top class infrastructure was vital to Ireland’s future competitiveness.
“Unless we make further improvements, our competitiveness will be eroded,” he said.
Mr Cowen said that EUR16bn of the EUR26bn coming from the public purse was “new” money that had not previously been earmarked for transport projects.
Both ministers echoed the Taoiseach’s vow that the project would not be allowed to go over budget.
Mr Cowen insisted that some of the major schemes would have to be brought before Cabinet to get specific approval to go forward to contract stage.
Mr Cullen said: “This is an ambitious programme. It presents many challenges but I expect all the agencies to deliver the programme in full, on time and within the budget.
“We aim to get value for money for every euro and bring in the project on time.”
He added that an intensive system of monitoring would be put in place to ensure value for money and contract deadlines are achieved.
Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney insisted the transport upgrade was vital if Ireland was to maintain a competitive economic edge.
Completion Dates
2006
Introduction of hourly services on Dublin-Cork rail route.
Dublin Port Tunnel.
2007
New Portlaoise train depot.
Delivery and introduction to service of 120 intercity railcars.
M1 Motorway.
M50 Upgrade (Phase1).
2008
Joining of the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas lines in city centre.
Luas extension from Connolly to Docklands.
Luas extension from Tallaght to Citywest.
Cork commuter rail service to Midleton.
Ennis to Athenry rail line (Western Rail Corridor).
2009
Dublin city centre rail re-signalling project.
M3 Motorway.
Phase 1 of Navan Rail Link.
Opening of new Dublin city centre rail station.
Limerick Southern Ring Road.
Waterford City Bypass.
Galway to Athenry commuter rail services.
2010
Metro West Phase One Tallaght to Clondalkin.
Kildare rail upgrade.
Sandyford Luas line extension to Cherrywood.
Dublin-Cork Inter-Urban Motorway.
Dublin-Limerick Inter-Urban Motorway.
Dublin-Galway Inter-Urban Motorway.
Dublin-Waterford Inter-Urban Motorway.
M50 Upgrade (Phase 2).
2011
Metro West Phase 2 Clondalkin to Lucan.
Athenry to Tuam rail line (Western Rail Corridor).
2012
Metro North.
Luas extension from city centre to Liffey Junction.
Metro West Phase 3 Lucan to Blanchardstown.
2013
Lucan to city centre Luas line.
Rail Safety Programme completed.
2014
Metro West Phase 4 Blanchardstown to Ballymun.
Tuam to Claremorris rail line (Western Rail Corridor).
2015
Interconnector completed.
Extend Electrification to Balbriggan, Maynooth, Navan, Hazelhatch.
Phase 2 of Navan rail link.
Luas extension Cherrywood to Bray.
