Vol. 489 No. 6
226 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the Government's policy in relation to the construction of a light rail line through Drumcondra, Dublin 9 and Ballymun, Dublin 11 to Dublin Airport; if she will report on the steps, if any, taken in this regard; the proposed timescale for the various phases of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9478/98]
I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the House of the Government's continuing commitment to the construction of a three line core light rail network for Dublin including a line to Ballymun as recommended by DTI.
As part of the planning and design of the Ballymun route CIE have been requested to take into account the wider transport needs of the north Dublin area and also to consider a possible extension of the Ballymun light rail line to Dublin airport. No preferred alignment has been determined at this stage, as the light rail project team's efforts are being concentrated to the north of the inner city pending completion of the underground study.
The Government remains committed to the agreement reached with the Commissioner for Regional Policies in October 1996 that the construction of the Ballymun line would be undertaken as soon as possible and at least immediately after the completion of the Tallaght — City Centre — Dundrum route. The position in relation to the likely commencement and completion of the Tallaght — City Centre — Dundrum route remains as set out in my reply to Question No. 17 on 12 November 1997.
