Gay Mitchell
Question:6 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the plans, if any, he has to make the public transport system in Dublin more efficient, effective and available to meet the changing needs of commuters in Dublin.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Transport.
Tomás MacGiolla
Question:10 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if any time table has been agreed for the development of the suburban rail link in the west of Dublin; when it is likely that work will begin; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:18 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the estimated cost of the extension of the rail commuter service, earmarked for West Dublin in the 1989 National Development Plan to provide for the transport needs of Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he has ensured that land required for a rail link to Tallaght, Dublin 24, has been retained in public ownership.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:68 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport, in respect of the direct rail commuter services outlined for west Dublin and Clondalkin, Dublin 22, in the 1989 National Development Plan, if he will give the timetable for the commencement of this service including (i) provision for necessary track-laying or renovation, (ii) station improvement, (iii) provision of rolling stock and (iv) the proposed starting date.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 10, 18 and 68 together.
Transport investment plans for the greater Dublin area have been submitted to my Department by CIE. On the rail side, these plans provide for new commuter rail services between Clondalkin and the city centre and for the improvement of commuter rail services on the Dublin-Maynooth line. Both projects have been formulated by CIE on the basis of the development of existing rail lines. The Clondalkin project, which it is estimated would cost about £27.3 million, would involve the construction of eight new stations and the provision of railcars. Feeder bus services would be provided linking Clondalkin railway station to Tallaght. A rail link to Tallaght is not included in these plans.
The Maynooth line project, which involves the construction of four new stations, would cost about £0.7 million. CIE have recently informed me that they are proceeding with the construction of the new stations on the Maynooth line and that they hope to have them open for traffic this summer.
Both these rail projects have been submitted to Brussels for assistance from the EC Structural Funds in the context of the operational programme for roads and other transport infrastructure. The operational programme is under discussion at present with the EC authorities. Further developments in relation to the Clondalkin project must await the outcome of the request for EC aid. The application is being pursued urgently by my Department with Brussels.
On the bus side, the investment plans prepared by CIE propose new services on a number of peripheral routes, local mini-bus services in certain suburbs and some city areas and limited stop services to the city on certain longer journeys. The local mini-bus, limited stop and peripheral route services are already in operation on a number of routes and these services will be expanded this year.
The activities of the Dublin transportation task force in improving traffic management and introducing further measures in that regard will also continue to facilitate the provision of a more efficient and effective public transport system.
Will the Minister agree that we do not need motorways through Dublin, particularly in places like the Liberties, and that, therefore, an upgraded public transport system is badly needed? In view of what the Minister said about the construction of stations and railcars and that the Inchicore Works are on the verge of closure because of lack of work — the Minister is aware that CIE and a former IDA employee are jointly looking at the works — will he agree that the introduction of urban renewal type grants which would be available to the private sector and CIE or one of their subsidiaries would assist in getting a proper rapid public transport system on the ground in Dublin?
Or underground in Dublin.
I do not have any plans to introduce an urban renewal grants system in this area.
Has the Minister looked at the question of introducing urban renewal type grants for such a development since we give grants for the development of other infrastructure development in Dublin? Will the Minister agree that it would be desirable to look at this with the possibility of getting other people to develop it since the State apparently cannot do it?
I am having discussions with a number of companies, some international, and looking at the possibility of trying to attract private investment to our public transport system, particularly in the Dublin city area. The economics of it are difficult but I am hopeful we can make some progress on it. I support the Deputy's general contention that we should be able to get some additional non-State investment for our public transport system.
Would the Minister agree that it would be a very useful and purposeful exercise for an all-party committee of the Dáil to look at the whole question of the need for upgrading public transport, including the need for tax or urban renewal incentives? Would the Minister give consideration to the possibility of setting up such a committee which might terminate after it reports in four or five months' time?
Or even a transport authority.
That seems to be a separate matter, Deputy.
There is a transportation task force. With respect, we do not need a committee for the plans; they are not that complex. CIE have very glamorous proposals and a number of private operators have come forward with very high-powered, glamorous rail proposals for the whole city. There is no shortage of proposals, costing from £1 million to hundreds of millions of pounds. We do not need a committee for that.
There are no proposals for urban renewal incentives.
What we have to do is figure out how to fund such a development other than by signing a cheque. That means discussions with Brussels, the private sector and CIE to see if we can privatise these routes, package them and get on with doing the work.
What about discussions in the Dáil so that we might extend urban renewal and tax incentives?
Let us have a reply to the remaining Priority Question, No. 7.