Irish transport investment priorities

Transport investment priorities

At the end of March 2021, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD published the draft National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI), outlining the Department of Transport’s long-term investment strategy for land transport.

NIFTI represents the Department’s contribution to Project Ireland 2040 and is designed to be a framework for prioritising future investment in land transport, while supporting spatial and national strategic objectives outlined in the National Planning Framework (NPF). Transport is identified as a “key enabler” of the NPF.

“Recognising the interdependence of transport and spatial planning”, NIFTI is aimed at supporting investment which helps to realise compact growth, while optimising existing infrastructure to “make active travel and public transport more attractive choices”.

NIFTI identifies four investment priorities that future transport projects must align with to be considered for funding. Likewise, as the National Strategic Outcomes are embedded within NIFTI, these investments will simultaneously support the delivery of the NPF.

1. Decarbonisation: Transport accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Irish greenhouse gas emissions, making it a priority for decarbonisation in the context of

Ireland’s climate objectives. NIFTI indicates that a shift towards sustainable mobility alternatives, such as active travel and public transport, must be supported where feasible. For instance, this includes unlocking rural sustainable mobility through investment in greenways, public transport and park and ride facilities. “Where private investment remains necessary, our support for low-emission vehicles and associated infrastructure can help to decarbonise such trips,” the Department says.

2. Protection and renewal: Several challenges faced by the existing transport network can be remedied, to some degree, through adequate maintenance of infrastructure. In the context of the climate crisis and to ensure resilience, the most strategically important components of the network will be the focus of protection and renewal.

3. Mobility of people and goods in urban areas: Priority will be given to projects which reduce urban congestion while simultaneously enhancing decarbonisation. The

Department commits to “the development of new sustainable mobility infrastructure, and the optimisation of existing infrastructure”.

4. Enhanced regional and rural connectivity: Outside of urban areas, the Department has committed to rectifying “priority bottlenecks” and ensuring connectivity between all regions and Ireland’s major ports and airports.

“The land transport network connects communities across our island. We are interested in hearing the views of the public and all interested stakeholders as we develop our new investment framework. The output of this consultation will help shape this highlevel investment framework and investment priorities, which will determine how we deliver infrastructure within and between our cities, towns, and rural communities in a sustainable manner over the coming decades. As transport is a key enabler of our spatial and climate change policies, your views will inform how transport supports sustainable social, environmental, and economic development nationwide,” the Transport Minister said.

A public consultation seeking views on future transport investment priorities concluded on 28 May 2021. The report is now expected to be finalised and NIFTI published in Q3 2021.

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