2008 Annual Report Contents SECTION 01 - Statement by the Minister 5 SECTION 02 - Foreword by the Secretary General 7 SECTION 03 - Review by Sector 9 SUSTAINABILITY AND INTEGRATION 9 PUBLIC TRANSPORT 10 ROAD TRANSPORT 11 MARITIME TRANSPORT 12 AVIATION 14 DELIVERY 16 APPENDIX I - Progress on Strategies 18 SUSTAINABILITY AND INTEGRATION 18 PUBLIC TRANSPORT 24 ROADS 26 MARITIME 28 AVIATION 32 DELIVERY 36 APPENDIX II - Publications 38 APPENDIX III - Legislation 2008 39 APPENDIX IV - Statistical Information 41 APPENDIX V - Bodies under the aegis of the Department in 2008 43 APPENDIX VI - Staff Numbers at end 2008 49 APPENDIX VII - Ministers and Members of the Management Board 51 3 01 - Statement by the Minister 02 - Foreword by the Secretary General 03 - Review by Sector APPENDICES Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Appendix IV Appendix V Appendix VI Appendix VII Department of Transport Annual Report 2008 / 01. Integration 4 01 - Statement by the Minister Highlights of 2008 under the Transport 21 Investment Our mission is “To deliver Programme included the following: a quality transport system • The N8 Carlow bypass, the N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone and the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown projects were completed. for Ireland which underpins • The Portlaoise train depot opened. sustainable development” • Park West/Cherry Orchard and Clondalkin Fonthill rail stations opened. • The contract for the commencement of construction In February 2008, my Department published a consultation of the Dunboyne Commuter Railway was signed. document entitled “2020 Vision – Sustainable Travel & • The application for a Railway Order for Metro Transport”. Almost 500 responses were received which provided North was lodged with An Bord Pleanála. an important input into the preparation of a sustainable travel and transport action plan Smarter Travel – Work is progressing on numerous projects that will benefit A Sustainable Transport Future which was launched by me in the infrastructure of our country in the next few years. We February 2009. This action plan will address the unsustainable are consciously investing heavily today to grow the economy travel trends in Ireland that impair our quality of life, our of tomorrow. competitiveness and cost us millions each year. It sets out measures so that by 2020 we can have thousands more people The successful conclusion in November 2008 to negotiations walking, cycling, using public transport and leaving their cars with US authorities on the introduction of pre-clearance for at home. It has the potential to fundamentally change how we persons travelling by air to the US is a significant development and is particularly important as an incentive for transatlantic all live and work. This new policy framework will have long- air travel. term positive benefits for all our citizens. While changing travel behaviour will take time these benefits, particularly the health, I am particularly pleased that 2008 saw a significant and very environmental and quality of life dividends, will accrue not only welcome decline in deaths on Irish roads, which fell below 300 during the implementation phase of the proposals but also fatalities for the first time since records began in 1961 to a total beyond. As part of the move to more sustainable transport of 279. systems, my Department funded and launched Ireland’s first demonstrator Hybrid Electric bus in December 2008. Finally, I would like to thank management and staff of the Department who continue to deliver and meet the challenges presented to leave us well positioned to weather the immediate The national road network is being significantly upgraded difficulties and to take early advantage of a return to economic under Transport 21, removing bottlenecks, reducing congestion growth. and improving journey times. This is playing an important role in improving the efficiency of the transport system, and is positive from an energy-use and an emissions perspective. Noel Dempsey TD Minister for Transport Department of Transport Annual Report 2008 / 01. Integration 5 01 - Statement by the Minister 02 - Foreword by the Secretary General 03 - Review by Sector APPENDICES Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Appendix IV Appendix V Appendix VI Appendix VII Department of Transport Annual Report 2008 / 01. Integration 6 02 - Foreword by the Secretary General This annual report is a slimmer, more concise version of the public transport side, construction work continued on the previous annual reports. The text outlines the main issues Luas extensions to Cherrywood and Docklands, and phase for each sector for 2008 and there is an appendix outlining 1 of the Western Rail Corridor and work began on the Navan progress on the implementation of the Department’s rail line. Investment continued in Iarnrod Eireann with the Statement of Strategy 2008-2010. introduction of new railcars and similarly in Bus Eireann with the introduction of accessible, environmentally friendly buses. 2008 was a challenging year but we also have a lot to show for Likewise the regional airports benefited from investment. A our efforts. An important feature in 2008 was our participation comprehensive report of developments under Transport 21 in the Organisational Review Programme (ORP), which was can be accessed at www.transport21.ie carried out by a team from the Department of an Taoiseach. During the review, all staff within my Department got an Safety across all transport modes is a key objective and I opportunity to participate in focus groups with the team and am delighted to be able to say that 2008 was notable for the engage in open and constructive discussion. The Report was significant decline in deaths on Irish roads, which fell below published in November 2008 and included an Action Plan, 300 fatalities for the first time since records began in 1961 to which is currently being implemented and will be reported on a total of 279. A Government decision in 2008 also provides in the 2009 annual report. for the set up of a combined Accident Investigation Agency to incorporate air, rail and maritime accident investigative Some other significant achievements in 2008 included: functions. • the signing of the Dublin Transport Authority Act into law, which for the first time, puts one transport body in charge I wish to thank all my staff, across all sectors, for their of all surface transport in the Greater Dublin Area; consistent hard work and dedication and to Minister Noel Dempsey TD and Minister of State Noel Ahern TD for their • the continuing focus on sustainable transport which support. I am confident that the difficulties that are evident in included a launch of a Public Consultation Document the Public Service generally at this time can be overcome by entitled “2020 Vision – Sustainable Travel & Transport” the remarkable talent and stamina that I have witnessed in this with a view to publication in 2009 of the new Sustainable the last year of my term as Secretary General. Travel and Transport Action Plan. 2008 was another year of significant progress in Transport 21 projects. Seven national road projects were completed, including Phases 1 and 2 of the M50 and seventeen major road projects were in construction at end of year, including Julie O’Neill the final phases of the major inter urban roads (MIUs). On Secretary General Department of Transport Annual Report 2008 / 02. Foreword by the Secretary General 7 01 - Statement by the Minister 02 - Foreword by the Secretary General 03 - Review by Sector APPENDICES Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Appendix IV Appendix V Appendix VI Appendix VII Department of Transport Annual Report 2008 / 01. Integration 8 03 - Review by Sector SUSTAINABILITY AND Corporate Governance During 2008, the Department completed a review of the INTEGRATION corporate governance of its State agencies and introduced new measures aimed at establishing a clearer mandate for Sustainability each agency, improving reporting on compliance with the In February 2008, the Department published a consultation Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and document entitled “2020 Vision – Sustainable Travel & putting in place more structured arrangements for interaction Transport”. Almost 500 responses were received which between the Department and its agencies on governance provided an important input into the preparation of a issues. sustainable travel and transport action plan. Public Transport Accessibility A review of Transport Access for All, the Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, was undertaken in 2008 and a new sectoral plan was in preparation at the year end. The implementation of actions under the Plan progressed satisfactorily during the year. North/South Cooperation The Department continued discussions in 2008 with the Northern Ireland authorities under the North/South Ministerial Council and the members of the British Irish Council on advancing co-operation on a number of transport matters. A Transport Sectoral Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council took place on 21 May 2008 and meetings of the British Irish Council took place on 7 March and 3 June 2008. Topics discussed are set out in Appendix IV (page 41) Department of Transport Annual Report 2008 / 03. Review by Sector 9 processed as quickly as possible. Determinations have already PUBLIC TRANSPORT been made in respect of over 85% of the applications and Public Transport Investment submissions made to the Department in 2008. Investment in the upgrading of public transport infrastructure and services was maintained at a high level in 2008, totaling CIÉ Subvention State subvention paid to CIÉ for the provision of socially €888.2m. This enabled the completion of the second Railway necessary, but non-commercial services, increased in 2008 Safety Programme (2004-2008) and the DART Refurbishment to €308.6 million from €306.6 million in 2007. A Cost and Project, and the progression of others such as the Kildare Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann commenced Route Project, the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor, during 2008.