Luxembourg, 23 July 2009
Today Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey T.D. met with Mr. Plutarchos Sakellaris, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice President, at the EIB headquarters in Luxembourg. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the Irish Government’s transport investment programme and possible future support from the EIB.
Minister Dempsey used the opportunity to stress the political and strategic importance of the Metro North and the DART Underground projects in particular.
Speaking in Luxembourg today Minister Dempsey said; “My meeting with Mr Sakellaris today was very productive. I used the opportunity to review the various transport infrastructure projects here in Ireland that have already received EIB backing and I set out those projects that we hope will receive EIB backing in the future. In particular I focused on the two priority projects of Metro North and the DART underground. I explained to Mr Sakellaris their importance in the context of Transport 21 and the NDP and how their delivery will help drive our competitiveness into the future. I was very pleased with the positive response from Mr Sakellaris to both of these projects. The EIB’s on-going commitment to Ireland is another practical example of the importance of this country’s full and unambiguous involvement in the European Union.”
At today’s meeting Vice-President Sakellaris confirmed the EIB’s commitment to Ireland; “The European Investment Bank has been standing by Ireland’s side for many years and I would like to assure Minister Dempsey once again that we definitely intend to uphold our very fruitful cooperation.”
ENDS
Attached: Photo of Minister Noel Dempsey T.D. and Vice President Plutarchos Sakellaris following today's meeting.
Further information:
Press Office, Department of Transport. Tel: (01) 6041090/ (01) 6041091