Thursday, 14th February 2013
The Government has committed to an investment in Cork of more than €8.3 million to improve the availability of sustainable transport across the city.  The areas to benefit include Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Douglas, Passage West and across all areas of the city.

The percentage of commuters in Cork who use public transport and bicycles is very low.  The only way we can ever increase the use of sustainable transport is to make it accessible when and where people need it.  This funding will make it easier for people to use sustainable transport, improving the walking, cycling and public transport experience across the city.

This funding will provide footpaths and crossings at Cooney’s Lane, Cogan’s Corner and at schools in Crosshaven and Passage West.  In Douglas funding is being provided to advance the Land Use & Transportation Study which aims to improve walking, cycle and public transport facilities.  Importantly the final section of a bus priority project on Maryborough Hill is being funded by this announcement.

In the South East of the city funding has been provided for the completion of pedestrian and cycle facilities on Boreenmanna Road.  At Dennehy’s Cross the operation of the junction will be improved with changes to the traffic signals and adjustments to the road alignment.

All of these projects are at different phases of development, some have been completed and others have not yet begun.  I hope that the effect of these initiatives will be to improve the operation of traffic junctions, making it easier for all road users across the city.

Posted under Carrigaline, Cork City, Douglas, National Work, South Central, South East, South West, Transport

Tuesday 11 December 2012

“I welcome the debate, to which I wish to bring a different perspective by referring to Cork Airport which has not been mentioned by other Deputies. In the year to date 2.25 million passengers have passed through Cork Airport and that figure is expected to reach 2.4 million by year end, which shows that Cork Airport is the hub and gateway to the south. Seventeen new routes have been introduced at Cork Airport in the past two years, although the airport has also lost others and staff have expressed concerns about the future direction of the airport. Concerns have also been expressed about the loss of the slots at Gatwick Airport. The importance and potential of Cork Airport cannot be underestimated and I know the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly, as a Tipperary man, understands its strategic importance. Cork Airport is a hub and a gateway and acts as a counterbalance to Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport. It is important, notwithstanding the interests of Deputies on all sides, that we recognise that Cork is the capital of the south. It has a large metropolitan area and is the location of a large proportion of the farming industry. It is only two and half hours by road from Dublin and is even closer to places such as Portlaoise, Tipperary, Waterford and Kerry. The importance of Cork Airport, therefore, must be acknowledged.
Deputies have spoken about the importance of aviation services. Cork has lost its ferry link with England. The Gathering is expected to drive local economies next year. The issue of transatlantic traffic at Cork Airport has been tinkered with for a long time and we know what happens when tinkering takes place. We saw what two previous Ministers for Transport, the late Seamus Brennan and Martin Cullen, did when they tinkered with aviation policy. We now have a Minister and a Minister of State who are prepared to take decisions. In saying this, however, it is important that the Booz report and the report of Ernst & Young on Cork Airport are placed in the public domain. It is imperative that there is a counterfoil for Dublin Airport in terms of aviation policy and Cork Airport is that counterfoil.
When the Booz report was commissioned, I held a special one day clinic to discuss the airport. I also made a submission to the consultants who were commissioned to prepare the report. Everybody who spoke to me highlighted the necessity of developing Cork Airport, the importance of short haul flights and new investment and the need to give the airport autonomy within the DAA. I welcome the Booz report and the decision by the Government to retain Cork Airport within the DAA but it is important that it is given autonomy in deciding its future despite the huge debts that are crippling it, thanks in the main to the party opposite. That same party must also answer for crippling our country.
For Cork Airport to reach its potential, it needs to have space within the DAA umbrella. The plans set out by the Government will help that to become a reality but bold and difficult decisions will be required in regard to the DAA and how it does its business. Deputy O’Donnell spoke about terminal 2 at Dublin Airport. He is correct that we must look beyond Dublin. I look forward to the expansion of Cork Airport and the introduction of additional routes. I wish the new chief executive, Mr. McCarthy, well in his new role and hope that the Government will work with him in developing the airport.”

Posted under Dáil Speeches, Transport

Parliamentary Question to ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to publish the revised Ports Policy; if he will elaborate on the main themes which will feature in the document; if he will outline the role which the Port of Cork will have under the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer, TD.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 27th November, 2012.

Ref No: 52658/12

REPLY

Answered by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, TD:

I expect to bring a Memorandum to Government on the matter and I aim to have the document published by February 2013.

As I stated to the Deputy in October, it is my view that the existing policy requires revision to ensure that all of our ports are provided with an appropriate development framework, reflective of their particular circumstances as well as their current role and future potential from a national freight facilitation perspective.

The new policy will therefore seek to provide all of our ports with a policy framework that will allow for their future development in a manner that best suits their individual circumstances.

The Port of Cork handles approximately 19% of all seaborne trade in the State and offers services in both the unitised and bulk market sectors. It is clearly therefore an integral part of our commercial port network and an important facilitator of trade from both a national and regional perspective. This will be recognised within the new ports policy.

Posted under Parlimentary Questions, Transport