Gay Mitchell
Question:7 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport his views on whether Dublin requires a rapid transit/efficient public transport system; and the plans he has in this regard.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Public Transport System.
Mervyn Taylor
Question:17 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has received proposals for the provision of a light rail transit system for the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Eric J. Byrne
Question:46 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will outline the progress to date of the inter-departmental committee's study of the proposed Ansaldo Dublin Light Rail Transport System submission; the number of occasions on which the committee has met to date; if a deadline has been set for the completion of its deliberations; if a light rail line/tramway option will be considered initially for the old Harcourt Street line and for Tallaght, with the option of future expansion throughout the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 17 and 46 together.
The Government decided in 1987 that no further consideration should be given to extending the DART system, because of the high costs of such development and the scarcity of financial resources. Following this decision CIE submitted transport investment plans for the greater Dublin area involving bus-based options and diesel services on existing rail lines.
Most of the bus proposals in the plans have already been implemented. The plans also proposed the construction of four new stations on the railway line from Maynooth to the city centre. I am pleased to say that these new stations will be open in July. The proposal for a new commuter rail service between Clondalkin and the city centre — with eight new stations and feeder bus services to Tallaght — has been submitted for EC Structural Fund assistance. Further developments in relation to the Clondalkin project must await the outcome of the request for EC aid. This application and other options are being pursued urgently by my Department with Brussels.
I have received a number of outline proposals in recent months, including the one referred to by Deputy Byrne, for the provision of a light rail system in the Dublin area. These proposals involve, inter alia, utilisation of the old Harcourt Street railway line and provide for a linkup with Tallaght.
An inter-departmental working group, chaired by a senior officer of my Department, and comprising representatives of the Departments of the Environment and Finance, Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council, the Dublin Transportation Task Force, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath, has been established to assess and report as soon as possible on the feasibility of rail and busway options for public passenger transport in relation to the former Harcourt Street railway line and the Tallaght area, having regard to: engineering and operational considerations; traffic management implications; capital and operational costs; the scope for private sector participation in the provision and operation of services; and environmental impact, having regard also to the extent to which EC funding may be available.
The working group, which has met on three occasions to date, is proceeding with their work as a matter of urgency and I expect to receive their report shortly.
Finally, I would again emphasise that the Government — who are at present providing over £110 million annually for essential public transport services — are committed to the development of an efficient and cost-effective system of public transport for Dublin and for the rest of the country.
Would the Minister agree that there is a role for Aer Rianta in developing a DART system to the airport in conjunction either with DART, Iarnród Éireann, or some other part of the CIE group, since that company has successfully developed into other ancillary services, since servicing the airport would be in their interest as much as in the commuters' interest and since they would appear to have the necessary resources?
I would like to see a real link developed to the airport. Without raising any expectations — because I cannot do so — I should say I am probing that issue to ascertain whether there is any possibility of so doing. To an extent I have put that back on the agenda, but I stress only as something I would want to examine. I am not sure that Aer Rianta should be involved in running land-based public transport systems; it is not really their business. Nonetheless, I will bear the Deputy's comments in mind when investigating that overall position.
Would the Minister agree that, whatever about the need for motorways around the city and county of Dublin, there is no need for them through the city centre? If he agrees with me in that respect, would he make this view known to the relevant local authorities — that there is no need for such motorways but rather that the long-term interests of the city would best be served by some type of rapid transport system?
As a general point, I have no difficulty in agreeing with the Deputy that rail-based and bus-based options — light rail, heavy rail and bus-based — in the development of a public transport system in a capital city obviously are a better option. That would be my private view on the matter.