Richard Bruton
Question:33 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the supervision role of his Department in the LUAS project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/03]
Written Answers. - Light Rail Project.
The Railway Procurement Agency, which is responsible for the delivery of the Luas project, has confirmed to me that the agency complies with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, including conformity with the guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure in the public sector.
In addition, a light rail monitoring committee is in place, comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of Finance and the Railway Procurement Agency. It is assisted by independent technical experts who report to the Department on a monthly basis. The Railway Procurement Agency also report on programme and budgetary issues to my Department on a monthly basis. My Department continuously reviews this and other information on the Luas project to ensure that the highest standards of project management are adhered to by the agency.
The Department of Transport has reported to Government at critical stages of the Luas project and this has included reporting on physical progress and budgetary considerations. The agency has informed me that Luas passenger services will commence in summer 2004 and that the project is within the €691 million budget and risk provision as notified to the Government in 2002.