Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Eamon Ryan
Question:
66
Mr. Eamon Ryan
asked the
Minister for Transport
when he will outline the Government's preferred route and station plan for the proposed Dublin metro; and when he envisages the first stage of such a metro will be in operation.
[23569/02]
Joe Costello
Question:
68
Mr. Costello
asked the
Minister for Transport
if the Government intends to proceed with the planned metro system for Dublin; the anticipated dates for the start of construction and operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23440/02]
Liz McManus
Question:
79
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Transport
his proposals for a rail link to Dublin Airport; the way in which it is intended to decide on the route for the link; the way in which it is intended to finance the project; if money has been allocated for this purpose in his Department's Estimates for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23444/02]
Pat Breen
Question:
116
Mr. P. Breen
asked the
Minister for Transport
if he has satisfied himself that he can deliver the Dublin metro by 2007.
[23518/02]
Paul McGrath
Question:
123
Mr. P. McGrath
asked the
Minister for Transport
the action he intends to take to deliver the Dublin metro.
[23517/02]
Joe Costello
Question:
131
Mr. Costello
asked the
Minister for Transport
the position regarding the provision of a rail link to Dublin Airport; if he has received proposals from CIE for an alternative proposal involving a mainline service from Cabra or an extension of the DART line from Malahide; his views on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23441/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 68, 79, 116, 123 and 131 together.
My Department has recently received the outline business case for phase one of the Dublin metro from the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA. The Government agreed in January 2002 that a phased approach should be taken to the development of the metro and approved proposals for the RPA to commence the procurement process for phase one which involves a line from Dublin Airport and Blanchardstown through the city centre to Shanganagh. The outline business case includes a cost-benefit analysis, a financing model, system options, the estimated cost over the lifetime of the project, and the timescales involved. The outline business case and cost-benefit aspects of the project are being evaluated in my Department and I intend to bring proposals to Government early in the new year.
The Government decided that the metro would be procured by means of public private partnership, PPP, with the RPA acting as the public sector client. As such, the cost of the metro will only become clear when the market bids are received.
The precise route of the line to the airport, and of the location of stations, will be decided only following a public consultation exercise which the RPA will carry out.
Following the Government decision in January, the RPA initiated the procurement process for the metro by conducting a pre-qualification exercise which attracted a considerable number of responses from interested parties. The RPA also engaged technical, legal and financial advisers to assist with the outline business case and prepare documentation in readiness for the invitation to tender stage.
The Dublin Transportation Office's strategy, A Platform for Change, addressed the issue of the preferred method of serving the airport with a rail-based public transport link. It considered that metro represented the best option. I have received no proposals from the board of CIE for a heavy rail link to the airport.
A provision of €9 million euro is included in the 2003 Estimates to allow the RPA to continue the development of the metro proposals.
Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 58.
Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 66.
