Trevor Sargent
Question:137 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on running the proposed Metro line to Swords via Dublin Airport; and the procedures, timescale and cost of bringing this project to fruition. [4815/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
On 16 January 2002, the Government agreed that a phased approach should be taken to the development of the Dublin metro and approved proposals for the Railway Procurement Agency to begin the procurement process for phase 1. This comprises a line from Dublin Airport to the city centre and Shanganagh, with a spur to Blanchardstown. I expect that the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, will shortly issue a notice seeking expressions of interest for this phase. Phase 2 of the metro, as approved by Government, includes an extension of the airport line to Swords.
The metro will be developed as a public private partnership project and the exact costs will only become clear as the competition to select the partners progresses. Initial estimates from the Railway Procurement Agency suggest that the cost of an extension of the airport line to Swords would be in the region of €0.3 billion to €0.5 billion, at 2001 prices.