Róisín Shortall
Question:64 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position in relation to the development of Luas and the proposed underground metro system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13411/00]
Written Answers. - Light Rail Project.
To date, I have granted light railway orders to CIE for the Tallaght to Abbey Street – line A – and the Sandyford to St. Stephen's green line – line B. Preparatory work is continuing on these lines and both are on target for completion in 2002 and 2003 respectively. I have also approved CIE's proposal to extend line A to Connolly Station in so far as it relates to the development from Abbey Street to Store Street. It is my intention to make the required light railway order for this section of the line when an acceptable proposal for a link between the Store Street stop and Connolly Station has been received.
On 21 March, the Government approved Exchequer funding of the capital cost of £185 million for line A. It approved, in principle, Exchequer funding of the order of £24 million for the construction of the Abbey Street to Connolly Station section, line C. It also agreed that CIE should procure the construction of these two lines on a conventional competitive public contracting basis. In addition, it decided that a public private partnership – PPP – approach be taken to the operation of these two lines.
The Dublin Transportation Office is currently updating its transportation strategy for the period up to 2016. One element of the DTO's proposals for meeting future public transport needs up to that date involves the development of a metro system. The DTO made a preliminary presentation of its proposed strategy to the Cabinet committee on infrastructural development and public private partnerships in April. The DTO is now proceeding to urgently complete the work on its updated strategy and this will be considered by the Government following formal submission by the DTO.