Mervyn Taylor
Ceist:57 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the improvements he proposes in the transport infrastructure to serve Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Tallaght, Dublin, Public Transport.
Following the Government decision in 1987 not to extend the DART system, because of the high costs of such development and the state of the public finances, CIE were instructed to prepare transport investment plans for the Dublin area involving only bus based options or diesel services on existing rail lines. These plans were received in August 1988.
So far Bus Átha Cliath have extended the localink bus service in Tallaght, as planned. I am informed that their proposals for new peripheral bus services linking Tallaght to areas such as Blanchardstown and Dún Laoghaire will be introduced later this year.
The Iarnród Éireann plans include proposals for a new commuter rail service from Clondalkin to the city centre with a feeder bus service being provided from Tallaght to Clondalkin rail station. The Clondalkin project, which would cost about £27.3 million and involves the construction of eight new stations and the building of railcars, has been included in the transport operational programme under the National Development Plan 1989-1993 for assistance from the EC Structural Funds. The Clondalkin project will be considered further in the light of the outcome of the application for EC aid.
I should inform the Deputy that I recently had a meeting with representatives of CIE, Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council, at which the Department of the Environment were also represented, to consider the various proposals which have been put forward for a light rail system or busway on the old Harcourt Street line and the needs of Tallaght for improved public transport services. Following that meeting, I set up a small working group comprising representatives of the various interests involved to examine these matters in greater depth and requested them to report back to me quickly. On receipt of the group's report, I will consider this whole matter further in consultation with the Minister for the Environment.