Vol. 557 No. 5
200 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the latest timeframe for the completion of construction of LUAS and for the beginning of operations; and if he has taken steps to avoid further delays in the construction timetable. [22980/02]
I understand from the Railway Procurement Agency, the State body responsible for the development of Luas, that the infrastructure contractors have indicated a delay of four months on the original contractual completion dates of October 2003 for the Tallaght-Abbey Street line, December 2003 for the Sandyford-St. Stephen's Green line and March 2004 for the Abbey Street-Connolly Station line. It is now anticipated that construction will be completed in early 2004 and passenger services will commence after the necessary commissioning and safety checking of the system have been completed. The RPA are monitoring closely developments in the construction schedule and are in regular contact with the contractors to review developments in order to ensure the earliest possible completion dates.
