Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Transport Initiative.

Seán Haughey

Question:

366 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if the Government has made final decisions in relation to the report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative, particularly in relation to an LRT route to Ballymun; if so, the timescale for these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [169/94]

Alan Shatter

Question:

370 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the decision, if any, that has been made in relation to the re-opening of the old Harcourt Street line for the purpose of a new light rail system; whether it is intended to commence works on the re-opening of the line during 1994 or 1995; and, if so, when it is proposed that a light rail system will start to operate along the route. [414/94]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 370 together.

I have already indicated to the House that the broad thrust of the individual transport investment listed in the National Development Plan, which includes £200 million for the development of a light rail system in Dublin, would be dealt with in the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-1999. The programme has been finalised and I expect that it will be published shortly.

The basic light rail system recommended by the Dublin Transportation Initiative is for lines to Tallaght, Cabinteely (via the Harcourt Street line) and Ballymun and would cost approximately £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 published shortly. The basic network cannot be constructed within the EU and other resources totalling £200 million set out in the National Plan. Moreover, a longer time frame than that of the plan will be needed to complete the basic DTI network.

My Department is engaged in detailed work to advise on the optimum combination of light rail links, based on the recommendation of the DTI, to be constructed over the planned period. All of the bodies involved in the planning and provision of transportation in the Dublin area are co-operating with my Department in this work. 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. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on these issues in the near future.