Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 5

Written Answers. - Light Rail Project.

Derek McDowell

Question:

50 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the contact, if any, between her Department and the European Commission in relation to the continuing delay in moving forward the Luas project; if the Commission has issued further notices of its concerns to her; the discussions, if any, she has had with the Department of Finance to secure additional funding for the project if the consultants (details supplied) find in favour of undergrounding the system in the city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8380/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The position in relation to contacts between my Department and the EU Commission regarding the light rail project remains as set out in my reply to Question No. 54 on 5 March 1998.

As I indicated in that reply, a review of EU funding will take place when the results of the study on the underground option are available. That review will also examine the implications, if any, for Exchequer funding of the project.