Vol. 478 No. 7
252 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the amount each of the three companies involved in the EU-prompted review of Dublin's LRT were paid before VAT for this study; the amount of this study which was supervised or overseen by his Department; if this supervising work involved a group or committee; and the names, positions and organisations of those who were members of this body. [12049/97]
253 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether the Dublin Transportation Office was involved in the EU report on the LRT in drawing up the terms of reference for this EU-prompted study and in supervising the work of the consultants doing the study; and if the Dublin Transportation Office was not involved in the study, the reason therefor. [12050/97]
254 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reason Dublin Airport was omitted from consideration by the Oscar Faber-led team of consultants in view of the fact that the terms of reference for the LRT study referred explicitly to the wider Dublin economy. [12051/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 253 and 254 together.
The study in question was a comparative socio-economic evaluation of the Tallaght-Ballymun and Tallaght-Dundrum light rail lines undertaken as part of the EU funding approval process in respect of the project. It was limited to these two routes, either of which could be funded within the financial provision made for light rail in the Operational Programme for Transport, and was never intended to be an examination of other options for more extensive or alternative routes. It is quite clear from the terms of reference that the impact on the wider Dublin economy was only to be considered as part of the comparative evaluation of the two routes.
|
Name/Position |
Organisation |
|
Mr. P. Mangan, Assistant Secretary |
Dept. of Transport, Energy and Communications |
|
Mr. J. Fearon, Principal |
Dept. of Transport, Energy and Communications |
|
Mr. J. Murran |
European Commission |
|
Mr. S. O'Sullivan, Principal |
Dept. of Finance |
|
Mr. C. McCarthy |
DKM Economic Consultants (External Evaluator for the Operational Programme for Transport) |
|
Dr. R.M. Byrne, Head of Programme and Projects |
Córas Iompair Éireann |
|
Mr. D. Mangan, LRT Project Director |
Córas Iompar Éireann |
255 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will bring forward the Drumcondra-Dublin Airport LRT line in order to link with the Maynooth line at the reopened station planned for Drumcondra in view of industrial and business growth in north Kildare and north west Dublin. [12052/97]
256 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will seek a commitment to fund both north Dublin LRT lines from the Government or EU sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12053/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.
On 1 May last I announced that I had asked the CIÉ project team to start consultation on the Ballymun line without delay. I have requested the project team to first consult on possible alternative alignment options which take into account the wider needs of the north Dublin area and to consider an extension to Dublin Airport. In doing so I have made it clear that no preferred alignment has been determined at this stage.
