Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
46. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under national strategic outcome No. 6 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30903/23]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
National Strategic Outcome 6 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030 provides for high quality international connectivity. 2022 saw clear progress against this goal including through the delivery of a number of key projects such as: the delivery of Dublin airport’s new North Runway which is a key piece of strategic national infrastructure for current and future generations in Ireland, and the Shannon Foynes Port Company’s (SFPCs) Infrastructure Development Programme is well underway, which includes land purchase and site development for a new port logistics park at Foynes Port and the Foynes Rail Reinstatement. This investment programme will improve international connectivity and increase capacity and external connectivity with the upgrade of the N69 and the reinstatement of the Limerick-Foynes rail line.
In Dublin, the Dublin Port is progressing implementation of its Masterplan 2040 to ensure that the Port can provide for future sustainable growth. The Masterplan will also facilitate changes in seaborne trade in goods and passenger movements to and from Ireland. Approximately 25 per cent of the overall project has been completed to date and Dublin Port Company has now secured all of the planning permissions required for the major development works planned on the northern side of the port.
In addition, I welcome the recent contract award to commence work on the essential upgrade of Terminal 7 at Rosslare Europort. These upgrade works are necessary to provide permanent Brexit infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to ensure compliance with EU Customs and other regulations. There are also plans progressing for the development of large-scale facilities at the port for the development of offshore renewable energy off the east coast of Ireland.
