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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 6

Priority Questions. - Light Rail Project.

Ivan Yates

Question:

19 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the amount of public moneys already committed to the design of the Luas project as approved by the previous Government and whether any refund will be required to be repaid to the European Commission in view of the Government's decision not to proceed with the proposal as previously planned; the likely cost and timeframe for the construction of the proposed city centre tunnel; the initial assessment, if any, she has as to the gradients of this tunnel based on geological assessment to date of the rock structure in the area in question; and the proposed number of city centre stop points with portal holes on the tunnel. [13063/98]

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.

I find it fascinating that the Minister will await the outcome of those studies. When she announced the Luas project she was not awaiting the findings of any study. Will she indicate the position on the public inquiry? Has it been aborted, has she had consultations with Mr. Justice Sean O'Leary or what will happen now there is a revised proposal? How many portals will the blackhole tunnel, roller-coaster, or whatever it will be called, have? It will go underground at St. Stephen's Green, overground and underground until it reaches O'Connell Street and overground and underground until it reaches Broadstone. Will there be one portal? How many access points will be provided in the final design for the city centre?

The Deputy should not worry. It will never happen.

I thank Members of the House of both parties, whom I shall not name, who approached me privately and thanked me for the proposals.

Do not tell me they have fallen for them.

They included eminent members of both parties.

The Minister should name them or the rest of us will be under suspicion.

They know who they are. The Deputy asked about the public inquiry and if I had been in contact with the judge. It is not my job to contact him. I am surprised the Deputy considers that I should get in touch with him.

It is fine now that the Minister has redesigned the entire project.

The judge has been in touch with my Department and discussions are ongoing. I will not be involved but I intend to ask Judge O'Leary to accede to a request which will be formally conveyed to him at the appropriate time.

The Minister did not answer my question.

The Deputy asked if I had been in touch with the judge and the answer is "no".

I asked whether the inquiry will be aborted or reconvened. Will a new inquiry be necessary?

The CIE board met this morning and informed me a short time ago that it has stopped the previous light railway order. It is in the process of formulating a new light railway order which it will present to me. Once I receive it, I will get in touch with Judge O'Leary. This will be the only formal contact I shall have with the judge.

Regarding the Deputy's other query, I do not know how many portals will be provided because I am awaiting the technical evaluation.

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