Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Written Answers. - Harcourt Street, Dublin, Railway Line.

Alan Shatter

Question:

468 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the present position regarding the provision of a busway along the old Harcourt Street line, Dublin 2; whether consideration has been given to providing a light rail/tramway system along the line; the Government's timescale for implementing either of the aforementioned proposals; and the moneys which have been allocated for the provision of either a busway or a light rail/tramway system through EC structural funds.

Minister for Tourism and Transport (Mr. S. Brennan)

Outline proposals for the provision of a light rail system on the former Harcourt Street railway line are being examined in my Department. The proposals, which are based on substantial aid from the EC and/or the Exchequer, were only received earlier this month and were not included in the submission made to the European Community in the context of the National Development Plan.

Another possible option for the Harcourt Street line is the provision of a busway. As busways form part of the road infrastructure, questions in relation to them are matters for the Minister for the Environment.

I should inform the Deputy, however, that I recently had a meeting with representatives of CIÉ, Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council, at which the Department of the Environment was also represented, to consider the various proposals relating to the Harcourt Street line. Following that meeting I set up a small working group comprising representatives of the various interests involved to examine the matter in greater depth and requested them to report back to me quickly. Following receipt of the report, I will consider the matter further in consultation with the Minister for the Environment.