Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Light Rail Network.

Seán Haughey

Question:

130 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will bring forward the core northside light rail transit line linking the city of Dublin with Drumcondra, Ballymun and Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/96]

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

The core light rail network recommended by the Dublin Transportation Initiative provides for lines to Tallaght, Cabinteely and Ballymun (via Drumcondra/ Whitehall) at an estimated cost of £300 million (in 1993 prices). The Operational Programme for Transport 1994 to 1999 provides for a total expenditure of £200 million on light rail during the period, £175 million of which is proposed to be EU-cofinanced. The DTI final report endorsed this expenditure as about the limit of what could be physically implemented in the period.

In late 1993 a high level project team comprising CIE personnel and consultants analysed a range of possible options derived from the core light rail network which could be implemented within the £200 million allocation for light rail. These options were examined against a number of criteria including their contribution to DTI objectives, financial performance, congestion alleviation, environmental impact and ease of construction. The objective technical recommendation of the project team was that priority should be given to the construction of links to Tallaght and Dundrum.

I launched a public consultation programme on the planned light rail links to Dundrum and Tallaght on 12 December, 1995 following the conclusion of detailed work undertaken by the project team to identify the preferred technical route alignments for both links. No final decisions will be taken on the precise routes until the public consultation in completed, a public inquiry has been held later this year and EU approval procedures have been completed.

The target is to get phase 1 of the core light rail network in operation by the year 2000. Phase 2 is planned to follow on immediately afterwards.

A fourth light rail line to Finglas and an extension of the Ballymun line to Dublin Airport and Swords have been recommended by DTI for implementation once the core light rail network has been established.