Vol. 502 No. 3
162 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her Department has received any approaches from the private sector concerning proposals for public and private partnerships in the provision of transport services, for example, heavy and light rail services; and, if so, her Department's response to these approaches. [7810/99]
165 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will invite tenders from the private sector for public or private partnership arrangements to bring forward the provision of the extended Luas network. [7813/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 165 together.
My Department received informal inquiries from the private sector concerning the potential for public private partnerships in the provision of transport services, particularly in relation to light rail development. Following the Government decision to endorse a public private partnership approach, on a pilot basis, for public capital projects, I commissioned consultants, Arthur Andersen, together with Steer Davies Gleave, to advise me on the possibilities for a Public Private Partnership approach to the development of the Luas network. The consultants have completed their work and their report is now being finalised. I will make an appropriate announcement when their recommendations have been fully considered.
