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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 May 1980

Vol. 320 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Howth-Bray Line Electrification.

1.

asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the findings in the Voorhees Report that a system of busways and diesel trains would carry almost the same number of passengers at less than half the cost of the rapid rail option in the Dublin area, he will reexamine the decision to electrify the Howth-Bray railway line at a cost of £46 million.

In May 1979 the Government approved of the electrification of the Dublin suburban rail service from Howth to Bray at an estimated cost of £46 million at 1979 prices. In arriving at this decision the Government considered alternative arrangements for the improvement of the existing service, using diesel operation, but decided that electrification was the preferable option. The Howth—Bray project was considered on its own merits and does not entail a commitment to a rapid transit system for Dublin. It was of course recognised that electrification of this line would enable it to be linked with other parts of a rapid transit system in the event of such a system being implemented. There is no question of the Government reexamining the decision, which is now in the course of being implemented.

In view of the report of the Transport Consultative Commission which cast doubts on the viability of the project have the Government and the Minister's Department had second thoughts on this matter?

There is no question of the Government having second thoughts on the project. I would inform the Deputy that in the analysis of the Howth-Bray electrification option as against the diesel-operated option there is a very marginal cost difference. That marginal cost difference, in my view and in the view of the Government, is far outweighed by the benefits of electrification.

The Minister told the House a moment ago there was no question of this position being reconsidered; not only that but he said it was now in process of being implemented. I would be very interested to hear from the Minister how far this process of implementation has gone. For example, has the project of electrifying this line been put out to tender yet?

The project is being implemented and there is no question of its being re-examined. In the capital allocation for CIE this year there is a provision of £10 million for the electrification of this line. The scheme is going ahead at full speed.

I am struck by the Minister's use of the word "implemented". It is like his promise of about 98 per cent of telephone connections within six weeks. How far has the implementation gone? Have tenders been invited yet for the contract of electrifying that line?

The Deputy might put down a separate question on that.

It is a separate question and bears no relationship to the reference about 98 per cent of telephones being connected within six weeks. That promise was never made by me.

The Minister is a glitter bird. He likes to give the good news first. What does the Minister mean by "implementation"? It was he who used that word, not Deputy Deasy or myself. What does he understand by implementation of the Howth-Bray scheme? How far has it got? Have tenders been invited; yes or no?

That is a separate question. Tenders have been invited for certain sections of it.

Tenders have been invited?

That is opening up a new field.

That is a separate question. If Deputy wants to put down a separate question I will be delighted to answer it.

The Minister himself invited this by saying that it was being implemented. Did I hear the Minister correctly: did he say that tenders have been invited; is that what the Minister said?

For certain sections.

That is opening up a new field.

Arising out of the last reply, can the Minister confirm whether the arrangement with Linke Hoffman Busche has been finalised?

The Linke Hoffman Busche arrangement has not been confirmed.

In view of the commitment to electrifying rolling stock, can the Minister indicate when it is proposed to finalise the negotiations with Linke Hoffman Busche?

This is under consideration by the Government at the moment.

I understand that there will not be any delay in the electrification of Howth-Bray line. Would the Minister comment on Deputy Deasy's assertion that it is half the cost? I do not believe that. Could the Minister be more specific on that and also ensure that there will be no delay?

The marginal cost referred to is less than £1 million. In my view that far outweighs the benefits that would accrue from it. As we know, electric traction has considerable advantages in the movement of urban passengers and demands high acceleration and deceleration with light, fast trains. These trains are more acceptable from an environmental point of view. In an electrified system there will be a certain security of supply because the electricity will be coming from a national grid. There is over-dependence on diesel oil in the present situation. The electrification of the Howth-Bray line means that it could be directly linked in to other parts of the city.

How will it fare in a blackout to which several of the districts through which this railway will now pass are periodically subject?

It is far more acceptable from an environmental point of view.

I do not dispute that at all. I am just asking whether the Minister is telling the House, as I hope he is, that the supplies to this railway, when it is finally implemented, will be independent of the kind of cuts of which the districts through which the line passes are now periodically subject. Perhaps the Minister does not know that Dublin districts are periodically blacked out?

The Deputy should bring that up with the Minister involved in the relevant Department.

The Ministers are all great on the hot potato game.

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