Vol. 437 No. 1
8 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if, in regard to his recent speech to the Birmingham conference on light rail in which he announced that building work on a light rail system for Dublin would begin in 1995, he will give the extent of the proposed system; when it will be completed and in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In the course of my keynote address to the recent Light Rail '93 Conference in Birmingham, I indicated that the National Development Plan includes proposals for an EC assisted investment programme of £220 million which will enable the public transport elements of the Dublin Transportation Initiative recommended strategy to be substantially implemented by 1999. This funding will include up to £200 million in expenditure in respect of the development of a light rail transit network in Dublin.
The basic light rail system recommended by the Dublin Transportation Initiative is for lines to Tallaght, Cabinteely and Ballymun and would cost approxmately £300 million to implement. Possibilities for further extensions to the basic network will also be reported on in the final report of the DTI which will be completed soon. The basic system cannot be constructed within the allocation of EC and other resources totalling £200 million set out in the plan. Moreover, a longer time frame than that of the plan will be needed to complete the basic DTI network.
Anticipating the agreement of the European Commission to these proposals my Department is engaged in detailed work to advise on the optimum combination of light rail links, based on the recommendations of the DTI, which should be constructed over the plan period. All the bodies involved in the planning and provision of transportation in the Dublin area are co-operating with my Department in this work. I expect that decisions on these issues will be taken by the Government over the coming months. The Government's decision on the choice of light rail links will be influenced by major factors such as financial viability, congestion alleviation, levels of peak and off peak demand, social need and ease of construction. Our objective is to be in a position to commence construction of the light rail system by early 1995.
In regard to the Minister's statement that work will commence in 1995 and end in 1999, will he accept that the traffic in this city will come to a halt long before 1999 and that urgent measures need to be taken now?
I agree that the success of a strategy for dealing with traffic congestion in this city will require an integrated and committed approach by all concerned. We need to provide structures to ensure the implementation phase of the DTI strategy is successful and that critical paths are met, not only in relation to a light rail system but to all areas of traffic management, quality bus corridors and so on. All those matters must be addressed simultaneously if we are to deal with the matter in a co-ordinated manner. It will be a major civil engineering feat and taking up the allocations within the planned period will require a degree of professionalism and commitment to the project. I am satisfied that the level of consultation and the approach of the DTI in coming forward with this integrated strategy will allow us to make decisions and deal with the problem which will deteriorate unless remedial action is taken. That is at the heart of the strategy recommended by the DTI to deal with that problem.
Does the Minister accept that the so-called dormitory towns of Leixlip, Maynooth and, indeed, Clondalkin are not part of the problem and that any measures to implement an LRT system ought to go further than those envisaged by the Dublin Transportation Initiative and include not only Clondalkin but other major dormitory towns such as Leixlip and Maynooth?
I should make the point that the mainline rail network also has a contribution to make on this issue. While I do not want to anticipate the recommendations that will be made in the final report of the DTI — we can have a discussion on this report — I am putting down a marker that, given the resources available to us under the National Development Plan, in addition to own resources, the strategy cannot be implemented within the period of the plan. In any major city where there was a new traffic management system and an integrated transportation strategy it was implemented over a period longer than five years or, indeed, four years given that the first year is devoted to planning. I am stating, however, that a light rail network will be provided within the period of the plan while other aspects of the strategy such as a co-ordinated and integrated traffic management system will be pushed along to ensure that it is successful. Deputies will be more au fait with the position in their constituencies but it is our objective to ensure that the strategy will cover all areas of Dublin. However, we do not have unlimited resources. It is important, therefore, that we use well whatever resources are available, including those from the European Union, to ensure we get the best possible result.
I would like to facilitate Deputies O'Malley and Rabbitte so I ask Deputy Sargent to be brief.
In considering the position of Aer Lingus and the recommendations he should make in regard to LRT has the Minister considered the possibility of extending this network to the airport and Swords given that Swords is a dormitory town? What interim measures does he propose to take before LRT is provided? For example, a number of measures have been taken internationally to restrict access to city centres in respect of unnecessary trips by car. Will we have an opportunity to discuss the DTI report when it is published? Is this on the agenda?
To take the Deputy's final question first, that will be a matter for the Whips at the appropriate time. Indeed, such a discussion might prove fruitful. Again, the Deputy raised a local issue. While the recommendations made will cover many areas I am saying that there will be a need to prioritise and to decide on the essential elements of a successful transportation initiative for the city. We will be able to discuss this in more detail when the final report is presented by the strategy committee. I should make the point that we have reiterated our commitment in the National Development Plan to public transport. If people are to use public transport rather than their own vehicles and thereby relieve traffic congestion there is a need for an attractive alternative. I am not in favour of restricting access on the basis that it would be far better to provide a transport system that the public would use willingly and leave their cars at home. Clearly in providing a light rail network through the city centre road space will be restricted. Traffic management controls will be required to ensure that this proves successful. All these issues will have to be considered during the implementation phase. I am considering what structures should be put in place to ensure that this happens in the most effective way possible.
