Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dublin Light Rail.

Ivor Callely

Question:

221 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will make a statement on the current Dublin Light Rail controversy; the issues against the proposed Luas light rail system, if any, which have been brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17217/96]

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

Issues concerning light rail were raised during CIE's public consultation programme and in debates in Dáil and Seanad Éireann.

However, it is fair to say these were prompted more by concerns about details of light rail proposals than opposition to the implementation of a light rail network in Dublin.

The main issues which have been raised relate to the choice of routes and route alignments, the capacity of light rail, integration with other public transport modes, provision of an underground section in the city centre and traffic management aspects. The CIE project team on light rail continues to respond to questions raised and has published a number of reports which address the main issues.

The Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Act, 1996, provides that interested parties will have an opportunity to raise issues directly with me, as the responible Minister, once CIE has submitted an application for statutory authority to construct a light railway. Questions raised will also be considered at a mandatory independent public inquiry which will be held into CIE's application.