Gay Mitchell
Ceist:26 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport when it is intended to introduce a rapid surface or underground public transport system in the greater Dublin area.
Vol. 403 No. 5
26 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport when it is intended to introduce a rapid surface or underground public transport system in the greater Dublin area.
94 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport, in respect of the proposed rapid rail link to Tallaght, Dublin 24 which was planned by CIE in the early seventies (1) when, and by which Minister, a decision was first taken not to proceed with the project, (2) whether there are still plans in his Department for the carrying out of the rapid rail project, (3) whether he has ensured that the land originally earmarked for the rapid rail link has been retained in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on current policy regarding phase two of DART - the rail link to Tallaght town centre via Clondalkin.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 94 together.
The Government decided in 1987 that no further consideration should be given to extending the DART system, because of the high costs of such development and the scarcity of financial resources. Following this decision CIE submitted transport investment plans for the greater Dublin area involving bus-based options and diesel services on existing lines.
Most of the bus proposals in the plans have already been implemented. The plans also propose the construction of four new stations on the railway line from Maynooth to the city centre. I am pleased to say that these new stations were opened last July and that the project has been included for EC assistance in the operational programme for peripherality.