Transport 21 is the capital investment framework through which the transport system in Ireland will be developed. It covers different areas including National Roads, Public Transport and Regional Airports.

The Government has agreed total investment for the framework of €34billion over a ten year period. This unprecedented level of capital investment will be used to transform Irelands transport system. In particular it will provide funding to the following initiatives;

• The completion of the inter-urban motorway network by 2010

• Bring about improvements in the rest of the national road network. This will 
  focus particularly on the objectives of the National Spatial Strategy and also the 
  needs identified in the national Roads Needs Studies

• Complete the safety programme on the national rail network

• Bring about a radical improvement in the level and quality of rail services,  
  based on the policy framework provided by the Strategic Rail Review

• Transform the public transport system in the provincial cities

• Improve regional and rural public transport services

• Fund essential capital works at the six existing regional airports

• Address accessibility for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive 
  impairments by implementing the commitments of The Department of
  Transport spectral plan under the Disability Act 2005, published in July 2006

• Deliver a sustainable transport system that balances social, economic and 
  environmental considerations.

The framework of investment of the Transport 21 initiative comprises of two different programmes. The first of these is a National Programme where the principal aim is to develop high quality national roads and public transport network and improve regional and local public transport. The second of these programmes is a Greater Dublin Area Programme, which will transform the public transport system and upgrade the M50 motorway.

The €34billion investment package is comprised of:

• €26 billion to be provided from the Exchequer and €8 billion from Public Private 
   Partnership funded projects.

• €18 billion will be invested in the national roads programme, while €16billion 
   will be provided for public transport projects and for regional airports.

• The National Programme will receive about €20 billion and the Greater Dublin 
  Area Programme about €14billion