My Department has received claims from CIE for the recoupment of expenditure totalling £19 million on planning and design of the light rail project to the end of 1997. This figure comprises approximately £12 million of EU aid and the balance of £7 million in Exchequer funding. Payments to the company of approximately £10 million in EU aid and approximately £6 million in Exchequer funding have been made to date.
With the exception of the short 1.5 kilometre section between St. Stephen's Green and Abbey Street, this expenditure has been undertaken in respect of routes which are included within the enhanced network agreed by Government. On this basis the EU Commission has been asked to confirm that the expenditure continues to be eligible for Structural Fund assistance and the Commission's decision is expected shortly.
CIE will shortly go to tender to recruit consultants to undertake the detailed technical evaluation of the underground section. Once they are recruited they will commence the necessary preliminary studies. The physical work necessary, such as the drilling of trial boreholes, is expected to get under way early in 1999 and will take about nine months to complete.
That detailed work will provide the information necessary to determine the specification for the underground section, including the required gradients and the number and location of stations. It will also assist in determining a firm cost estimate for construction and, subject to the relevant statutory procedures, the likely implementation timetable. I consider that it would be prudent to await the outcome of these studies before commenting further on the details of the project.