Vol. 521 No. 4
75 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will identify the various studies and reports that have been commissioned in relation to the development of the Luas light rail project; the cost of these reports; the way in which each of these reports were funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17074/00]
My Department has commissioned three studies in relation to the light rail project, in order to help define the best options for the development of the Luas system. In June 1996, Oscar Faber Consultants were commissioned to conduct a comparative socio-economic evaluation of potential routes from Tallaght to Dundrum and from Tallaght to Ballymun. That study cost £74,300 and was co-funded by the Exchequer and the EU under the technical assistance programme of the operational programme for transport. W.S. Atkins Consultants were commissioned to carry out an independent study to assess the option of putting the light rail system underground in the city centre. That study, which was funded by the Exchequer to the tune of £251,000, was completed in April 1998. In April 1999, Arthur Andersen and Steer Davies Gleave completed a report on a public-private partnership approach to the Dublin light rail project. That study cost £64,000, and was also funded by the Exchequer.
In addition to these commissioned studies, two reports have also been produced by the Light Rail Advisory and Action Group. Costs incurred for these reports amount to £7,707 and are in relation to design and printing only. A number of studies related to the planning and development of Luas have also been conducted on behalf of CIE.
