Dick Spring
Question:16 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has finalised proposals in relation to Luas regarding the proposed metro line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17330/00]
Other Questions. - Light Rail Project.
The Dublin Transportation Office is currently updating its transportation strategy for the period up to 2016. One element of the DTO's proposal 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 in April. The DTO is completing work on its updated strategy, which it will then present to the Cabinet infrastructural committee in the near future.
It was my understanding that the Luas was to run along lines A and B and that the metro would run along the same lines. It was also my understanding that Luas would be put in place now and removed when the metro line was put in place. Was my interpretation of the position correct?
The construction of the metro line is a long-term proposal which has not yet been adopted. A formal decision on Luas lines A and B was taken by the Cabinet in 1998. The DTO will report to the Cabinet committee on infrastructural development on the long-term proposal to construct a metro system, the scale of which would be much greater than that of Luas. It will then be a matter of meshing the two sys- tems if a decision is taken to proceed with the construction of a metro system.
I cannot believe that it is intended to make Luas redundant, particularly given that two Administrations spent more than six years making plans for its introduction.
A question please, Deputy Stagg.
Is the Minister planning to make Luas redundant?
I have no intention of making any such plans.
Am I correct in stating that line A, Luas on-street, will not be signed off on until the DTO presents its final report?
That is not correct. The Government made a decision on Luas in 1998.
The Government has not yet signed off on line B of Luas.