Vol. 427 No. 3
17 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when work will commence on the construction of up to four light rail lines in Dublin and a limited extension and upgrading of the DART, thereby honouring the commitment given in the Programme for Partnership Government 1993 to 1997; if it is intended to extend the DART system to Greystones, County Wicklow; for the old Harcourt Street line; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
20 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the position on the reopening of Harcourt Street rail line; and when he expects work to be complete.
32 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on whether increased buses within the greater Dublin area would have a major input into the relief of Dublin's traffic problems; the steps, if any, proposed to assist in the improvement of the bus service in Dublin.
56 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has received the Dublin Transport Initiative interim report; if he proposes a planned capital expenditure programme in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 20, 32 and 56 together.
The severe traffic congestion and transportation problems of Dublin city and its immediate hinterland are the subject of a major initiative, the Dublin Transportation Initiative, which is being co-funded by the EC authorities. The interim report of the DTI has recently been published.
The interim report contains proposals for an integrated strategy involving a programme of transportation investment involving roads, public transport, traffic management and enforcement measures for the period 1994-97 under the next phase of EC Structural Funds. This programme is set in the context of a full transportation strategy for Dublin up to the year 2011.
The interim report contains significant recommendations for major public transport investment in Dublin, including the development of a light rail system and significant enhancements of existing bus and rail services. The strategy also involves a series of traffic management and strategy support measures, including park and ride facilities, bus priorities, parking restraint, enhanced electronic traffic signalling and detection systems and a range of other measures.
The main public transport elements of the DTI recommended strategy are as follows:—
(1) The development of a light rail system, serving Cabinteely to the city centre (via the old Harcourt St. line); Tallaght to the city centre; the city centre to Drumcondra (and possibly Dublin Airport, with the further possibility of a spur line to Finglas).
(2) The development of ten "quality bus" corridors on selected bus corridors serving Blanchardstown, Finglas, Swords, Malahide, Bray, Churchtown, Tallaght, Templeogue, Neilstown and Lucan. The quality bus concept involves the development of new high quality single deck coaches on specific corridors which accord a high degree of on-street priority to buses. It also involves significant enhancements in the availability of real time information to passengers.
(3) Possible extensions of the existing DART services to Malahide and Greystones, improvements to diesel-based commuter services and the construction of a number of new stations. The question of constructing a mainline rail link to Dublin Airport is also to be considered.
At present these recommendations are the subject of further extensive analysis by the DTI, the results of which will be reflected in the final report of the DTI, which is expected in April 1993.
Both the interim and final reports of the DTI will form an integral part of the Government's input into negotiations on EC funds for the period after 1993. I wish to emphasise to the House that the availability of significant levels of EC funds will be essential for the implementation of the public transport elements of the DTI. This matter will be pursued as a priority issue by both myself and the Minister for the Environment, in keeping with the Government's strong commitment to the development of public transport in Dublin included in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
I thank the Minister for educating me in relation to the Dublin Transportation Initiative but, with all due respect, he did not actually answer my question. My question asked when the programme would be implemented. We are all well aware of the proposals of the DTI but we also know that the previous Government made specific proposals for light rail. Specific measures were outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government and I should like to know when those measures will be carried out. I recognise that EC funding is essential, but EC funding is not needed to make a decision on when the job of work will be done. I again ask the Minister when does he envisage that the programme of work will start.
I am sure that the Deputy will accept that until the final report of the DTI is available to me it would be premature to make major policy decisions on public transport in Dublin and its hinterland. It has also been made clear that the contingency is that sufficient EC funds be available. It is obvious that the quantity of EC funds available for the initiative will determine the extent to which the total package can be implemented. In relation to the Government input into this initiative, both the Minister for the Environment and I regard this matter as a priority issue in terms of improving the transportation infrastructure of Dublin and its hinterland.
In any plan for the railways will the Minister give priority to the Dublin-Sligo line in view of the fact that it is falling asunder?
The mainline railway system, which has been the poor relation through the years as far as transport infrastructure is concerned and which needs major upgrading — Sligo comes to mind — has problems of which I am well aware. They will receive priority from me commensurate with the problem which the Deputy has outlined.
We are deviating from the DART system.
In view of the Minister's reply, will he agree that time is of the essence as far as this application is concerned? Will he assure the House that he will act as quickly as possible on the publication of the final report of the DTI which he expects in April? Will he commit himself to ensuring that a detailed plan will be prepared within a specific time limit to enable us to avail of the forthcoming tranche of EC funds?
I assure the Deputy that, as I outlined in reply to an earlier question, the Minister for the Environment and I have already set up a co-ordinating group to look at the interim report so that we will be in a position to bring forward capital projects outlined in the interim report, quite apart from the final report. Given the lack of traffic management in the city and the negative impact which that has on it and on the people who live in it, and those in the outlying area, I agree that this is a matter of significance. It should, and will, be given priority.
Will the Minister agree that there is a commitment to a diesel option commuter rail network from Ballyfermot to Clondalkin and north Kildare? It was a £32 million approved project scaled down to exclude reopening the line under the Phoenix Park but providing a commuter platform in Heuston Station. Will that work go ahead or has it been bogged down in all this studying, reports and so on?
I am not in a position to give a full reply today but I will get the information for the Deputy.
Is the Minister familiar with light rail systems? Does he accept that for such a system to be viable it must depend largely on a big inner city population which Dublin does not have? As that is the case, the cost of subsidisation on a current basis is very substantial indeed. Did the Minister take that into consideration when examining the prospects for a light rail system for Dublin?
In fairness, the Dublin Transportation Initiative is probably the first real attempt to plan an integrated programme for rail and road. The urban renewal programmes and the incentives, particularly in the private housing sector, in city centre areas has been relatively successful and will continue, particularly as the business expansion schemes are being extended. We are seeking to ensure that this will be a success in all areas and the integrated approach which the Deputy outlined is the way forward.
That disposes of questions for today.
May I ask one question?
We have gone over our time but I will allow the Deputy a final question.
Is the commuter line to Arklow included in this proposal? Many commuters travel from Arklow although, strictly speaking, they are based in County Wicklow. They are linked to the Dublin system and perhaps the Minister will consider that point. Perhaps it is not fair to ask the question at present.
There is a question on the Order Paper in regard to the line from Collooney to Claremorris and it seems that every railway wants to be included in the Dublin Transportation Initiative. However, I will send the information to the Deputy.
That disposes of questions for today.
