Vol. 572 No. 3
123 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport his views on the strong advice from a person (details supplied) to exclude consultants and advisers from the metro project and to keep it under the tight control of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23092/03]
The discussions I have had with Professor Melis on the development of the Dublin metro were most valued, given the international reputation of metro de Madrid gained by the speedy extension of their system at relatively low cost.
However, two important differences between the situation in Madrid and Dublin need to be considered. First, the procurement approach in Madrid was a conventional direct procurement approach, which is very different to the public private partnership, PPP, approach that the Government has decided upon for the Dublin metro. Secondly, metro de Madrid has more than 100 years' experience of building metros while we have no such experience in Ireland. Accordingly, the RPA has augmented its resources by engaging in the required experience to develop the project, both in the form of staff and of advisers who have such experience. RPA has retained world class consultants with wide experience of metro and PPP procurement in a number of countries around the world.
To strengthen its approach to the management of the development of the metro, RPA has signalled its intention to appoint a panel of experts to advise on the project as it goes forward. This panel would include not only technical experts like Professor Melis, but also people with a successful record of delivering PPPs and people with a strong knowledge of local construction conditions.
