Historic meeting of North-South body in Trim

THE Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim was the venue for the fourth meeting of the transport sector of the North/South Ministerial Council last Wednesday.

The Irish Government was represented by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, TD, and the Executive was represented by Minister Conor Murphy MP, MLA, and Minister Arlene Foster, MLA.

The council noted and welcomed progress made since the last meeting in September 2007 and the opportunity to meet to further discuss opportunities for cross-border co-operation in relation to strategic transport planning and road safety.

Among the items on the agenda was the restoration of the Annaghroe and Knocknaginny bridges on the Tyrone/Monaghan Border, the construction of a bridge at Narrow Water linking County Down and progressing the A5 and A8 projects.

The council also received a presentation from representatives of Iarnrod Eireann and Northern Ireland Railways on future development of the Dublin-Belfast rail link, especially in relation to increased service frequency, improvements to rolling stock and elimination of speed restrictions. 

The council welcomed the on-going co-operation between departments and the two railway operating companies, particularly on rail safety and interoperability.  Ministers asked their officials to continue to work closely together to ensure compliance with relevant EU directives on these issues. The council also welcomed the major investments made by both operating companies in improving railway infrastructure and safety in recent years.

Meanwhile, the council noted that a report on cross-border community-based rural transport has been considered by both ministers and it was agreed that a pilot cross-border exercise should now be considered. 

The council welcomed the presentation from the Road Safety Authority on the new Road Safety Strategy for Ireland for the period 2007-2012.

Ministers noted that the mid-term review of the Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy 2002-2012 is underway with an announcement about the way forward expected in the New Year. The council further welcomed the continuing co-operation between the authorities on a range of issues, including advertising and publicity, the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications and penalty points and road safety in border areas.