Vol. 482 No. 6
31 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will reopen the priority ranking of the northside route in view of her decision to consider the option of an underground alternative for Luas and in view of the fact that the main factor mitigating against the northside route was the extent to which its overground path was shared with other traffic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18640/97]
I would like to again state that the Government is committed to the provision of the core light rail network recommended in the DTI report which includes a line from Tallaght via the city centre to Dundrum and Sandyford and a line from the city centre to Ballymun.
The current position, with regard to the proposed Ballymun line, is that the CIE Light Rail Project Team has identified strategic options for the route between the city centre and Ballymun. Further work to provide additional information on these options is now being carried out.
Clearly the outcome of the study examining the option of underground light rail in the city centre could have implications for such a route. Consequently, the Light Rail Project Team's efforts are being concentrated to the north of the inner city pending completion of the underground study.
The Project Team hopes to be in a position to initiate the public consultation process on the options for Ballymun in late spring next year when it will be able to take account of the conclusions of the underground study. I do not intend to take any action now which might be seen to prejudge the outcome of the underground study.
