Vol. 505 No. 1
40 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress, if any, being made in relation to the Luas project; the length of time it will take to deal with objections and acquisitions of property; when the project will commence; and the completion date in this regard. [13042/99]
I am pleased to say that progress on the light rail project has been satisfactory. It is proceeding broadly in line with, and in some cases ahead of, the indicative timetable that I outlined in May 1998.
I made a light railway order in respect of the Tallaght to Abbey Street line last March. As I informed the Dáil recently, no application for a judicial review was received within the two months specified in the legislation and CIE can now proceed with securing tenders to allow construction to commence. The target date for the commencement of construction is spring 2000 and the line is expected to be completed in winter 2002. I understand that some preliminary work will get under way within the coming months.
The Government has approved funding for the purchase of the first 20 trams which will operate on the Tallaght to Abbey Street line and this contract was, I understand, signed by CIE last week. The public inquiry into the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line is expected to finish today. CIE expects to be in a position to submit an application to me for a light railway order for the Abbey Street to Connolly Station line in August. The public consultation process for the Broadstone to Ballymun and Dublin Airport line began last December.
CIE will appoint consultants shortly to undertake borehole drilling and carry out a geotechnical study of the underground section of the project. This is later than I had expected and, while I have been advised that it will not significantly affect the overall timetable, I have asked that there be no delay in progressing this aspect of the work. I expect that these geotechnical studies will be completed about end year.
