Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 2

Written Answers. - Light Rail Transit Route.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

135 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the genuine concerns of the residents and business groups in the Mount Brown, Kilmainham district of Dublin 8 in relation to the proposed Tallaght light rail transit route; if he will meet with the group concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9347/96]

Liam Lawlor

Question:

136 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his response to the findings of an impact study (details supplied) regarding the proposed LUAS tram way through the industrial Inchicore corridor and the putative effect on employment in that area during the construction period. [9382/96]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

There are two clear stages at national level in the process leading to the start of construction of the proposed light rail network in Dublin. The first stage, which was launched on 12 December last, is the public consultation process being undertaken by CIE. The purpose of this is to explain the concept of light rail, to outline specific light rail proposals, to listen carefully to any concerns expressed in relation to those proposals and to respond to those concerns where possible. I would urge everyone with questions or concerns about the light rail proposals to avail of the opportunity afforded by the public consultation process to make their concerns known to CIE's project team on light rail.

The second stage is the statutory process. Legislation providing for this process will be introduced shortly. This legislation will require the preparation of a number of detailed documents by CIE including an application for statutory powers to construct light rail and an environmental impact statement, both of which will be available for inspection or purchase by the public. The legislation will oblige me, as the responsible Minister, to consider any written submission made by any person in relation to the application for statutory powers and the environmental impact statement. It will also require the holding of a mandatory public inquiry. The legislation will further oblige me to fully and objectively consider the report of the public inquiry and any written submissions made to me before making a final decision on CIE's application for the statutory powers to construct light rail. In addition to these two stages, EU approval procedures will also have to be completed.

It would not be appropriate for me to make any comment on, or enter into any discussions or correspondence with interested parties regarding, detailed aspects of the light rail proposals in view of the proposed statutory approval procedures and my proposed quasi-judicial role in relation to the grant of statutory powers to construct light rail. However, with regard to concerns expressed about the impact of light rail on employment in the Kilmainham area I would refer to my reply to Question No. 228 of 30 April 1996.