Gay Mitchell
Question:26 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport when it is intended to introduce a rapid surface or underground public transport system in the greater Dublin area.
Written Answers. - Dublin Public Transport.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:94 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport, in respect of the proposed rapid rail link to Tallaght, Dublin 24 which was planned by CIE in the early seventies (1) when, and by which Minister, a decision was first taken not to proceed with the project, (2) whether there are still plans in his Department for the carrying out of the rapid rail project, (3) whether he has ensured that the land originally earmarked for the rapid rail link has been retained in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on current policy regarding phase two of DART - the rail link to Tallaght town centre via Clondalkin.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 94 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 lines.
Most of the bus proposals in the plans have already been implemented. The plans also propose 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 were opened last July and that the project has been included for EC assistance in the operational programme for peripherality.
The investment plans prepared by CIE also included proposals for a commuter diesel rail service on the line from Clondalkin to the city with eight new stations and a feeder bus service to Tallaght. This project is also included in the operational programme. Assistance from the programme has been made conditional on the outcome of a socio-economic cost benefit analysis of the proposed investment. This examination will be undertaken shortly and it is expected that it will confirm the merits of proceeding with the project as a matter of urgency.
I am also looking at other options for meeting the public transport needs of the city and in this connection I have established a high level working group to asses and report 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. I expect to receive the report of the group shortly.
I understand that the land reserved for a rail link to Tallaght via Cherry Orchard has been kept free of development and that the bulk of it is in public ownership.