Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Austin Currie

Question:

129 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals for infrastructural development already decided on for the Dublin 15 area; when these decisions were made; the projected cost of the proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15615/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Iarnród Éireann has recently completed work to upgrade the rail route between Maynooth and Connolly. This work involved constructing a double track between Clonsilla and Maynooth, resignalling the line and providing new station buildings at all stations including Castleknock, Coolmine and Clonsilla in Dublin 15. The introduction of new services has been delayed pending the resolution of certain industrial relations issues. These issues are currently before the Labour Court.

The Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, strategy for 2000 to 2016 "Platform for Change" has recommended further upgrading of the Maynooth to Connolly route, such as the electrification of the line, the removal of level crossings and the reconfiguration of Connolly station, to permit an even higher frequency of service. The estimated cost of the further upgrading of the Maynooth to Connolly line is approximately £200 million. Iarnród Éireann is currently assessing the DTO proposals.

In July 2000, the Government approved, in principle, the development of a metro system for Dublin on a public private partnership basis. Following the Government decision, I asked the light rail project office, LRPO, of CIE to commence the necessary preparatory work on the proposed metro system. Some initial work has been undertaken and a suggested alignment for the metro involving the provision of services to a number of areas in Dublin, including Dublin 15, has been drawn up.

The LRPO of CIE is currently engaged in a public consultation process on the metro and my Department is currently undertaking a consultation exercise to elicit reaction from potential bidders. The market consultation document, on which the exercise is based, also describes the initial thinking on routing options, initial costings and the physical and engineering options for the metro. In relation to routing, it identifies the line to Blanchardstown as an early priority for development. The responses received will be taken into account when formulating a policy on PPPs and will assist in the metro procurement process which I expect to proceed later in the year.