Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Light Rail Project.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

328 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the latest study in relation to the LUAS project which she has initiated will be completed; when the project will move to its next stage; the reason commencement of work in the areas, such as Tallaght, Dublin 24, outside of the city centre, is delayed by a study of the project in the city centre; whether she will support the running of the Tallaght line as far as Killinarden and the location there of the service depot for LUAS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1526/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

I expect to receive the final report of the study to assess the option of putting the Dublin Light Rail system underground in the city centre by the end of April.

It is not possible to commence work on any part of the proposed light rail line pending the granting of a Light Railway Order to CIE. CIE has submitted an application for a Light Railway Order in respect of an on-street light rail system linking Tallaght-city centre-Dundrum and, in accordance with the provisions of the Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Act, 1996, this application is the subject of a statutory public inquiry. The inspector appointed to carry out the public inquiry decided that the underground study should be available to the inquiry and adjourned the inquiry pending the completion of the study.

However, preliminary work is on-going on the Tallaght-city centre-Dundrum line and planning and design work is being carried out on both the Ballymun line and the Sandyford extension.

Since I have statutory functions in relation to the CIE application for a Light Railway Order, I do not propose to make any comment on the routing of the light rail line in the Tallaght area.