I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 21, 23, 27, 30, 32, 61 and 62 together.
As the House will be aware, an expert group has been established to assess and report on the most suitable public transport options for the Harcourt Street line. The remit of this group has been extended to include examination of the possibility of developing a light rail system for Dublin. This work will include an examination of the public transport requirements of areas such as Tallaght. The detailed work of the expert group in relation to the Harcourt Street line is now nearing completion. In that context it has already been accepted by the Government in principle that the Harcourt Street line should be reopened as a public transport facility.
However, a number of important issues in relation to the project remain to be finalised. These include an examination of the following issues: the different public transport options; engineering and operational considerations; traffic management implications; capital aid operational costs; the position in relation to the availability of the necessary resources; the extent to which the line will be reopened, and acquisition of land which is not in public ownership.
As regards the mode of public transport which will ultimately be provided on the Harcourt Street line, I believe that, in the event of sufficient resources being available on a citywide basis for Dublin, light rail may be the desired public transport option. However, that option would be dependent on the availability of substantial levels of financial assistance from the EC authorities. Alternatively, and depending on the levels of funding available, bus based options could have an important role to play.
I am aware that EC support has been made available to other member states for major public transport projects and it is my intention to press Ireland's case for similar treatment in the context of discussions on the next phase of the Structural Funds covering the period 1994 to 1998 and the proposed Cohesion Fund.
However, until the full level and extent of EC support which may be available in the future for funding major public transport developments in Dublin is known, it is important that all options in relation to the development of the Harcourt Street line should be preserved. In this regard an examination is underway of the possibility of commencing preparatory work, in relation to restoration of the alignment, which would be common to both a busway option and a light rail development. This work could include the preparation of technical and engineering specifications, detailed referencing of the land to be acquired, land surveying, preparation of tender/contract documentation, as well as investigation in relation to the possible need to relocate existing underground services. Discussions are being held with the EC authorities in relation to possible European Regional Development Fund funding for this preparatory work under the current Operational Programme on Peripherality.
