Róisín Shortall
Question:157 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the status of the metro proposals; the way in which he intends to select the route; and when he intends to bring firm proposals to Cabinet. [11236/03]
Vol. 565 No. 4
157 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the status of the metro proposals; the way in which he intends to select the route; and when he intends to bring firm proposals to Cabinet. [11236/03]
Last year, the Government agreed that the development of the Dublin metro should be undertaken on a phased basis and as a public private partnership or PPP. The proposal for a metro in Dublin is part of the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy, "A Platform for Change". Phase 1 of the metro involves a line from Blanchardstown and Dublin Airport to the city centre and to Shanganagh. Since then, the Railway Procurement Agency or RPA has concentrated its work on developing the outline business case for phase 1. The RPA has also conducted a preliminary public consultation and a pre-qualification exercise for potential bidders.
In November 2002, my Department received the outline business case or OBC for phase 1 from the RPA. The OBC includes cost benefit analyses, a financing model, system options, a number of route alignment options, the estimated cost over the lifetime of the project and the estimated time scales involved. My Department is examining all elements of the OBC at present and, in particular, is in discussion with the RPA regarding the scope for reducing the costs involved. The possible effects which a project of this scale may have on the overall Exchequer finances and Ireland's obligations under the EU stability and growth pact are also being examined at present. No conclusions have yet been reached in this regard.