Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Written Answers. - Light Rail Network.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

388 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position with regard to the construction of a light rail system along the Harcourt Street Line; whether funding has been finally designated; the further steps, if any, which remain to be taken prior to works commencing to provide a light rail system along the line; and the projected date for the commencement of these works, their completion, and the opening of a light rail system for public use. [12978/95]

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

392 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, there are for interchanges between the existing two ARROW lines and the proposed Light Rail Transit lines. [13125/95]

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

393 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will make a statement on the proposed Light Rail Transit in Dublin; if he will clarify the precise route and likely stations on the Tallaght to city centre line, the Cabinteely to city centre line, the Airport to city centre line and any other lines eventually anticipated; the likely timetable for the commencement and completion of work on these lines; if the Light Rail Transit will interconnect with such locations as the DART at Tara Street, the ARROW at Heuston or Drumcondra, provincial bus services at Bus Aras and a central city bus interchange; if so, if he will give details of the proportion of the total cost of each line to be borne by EU funds; the deadlines, if any, for expending such funds; whether all underground services along each route will have to be removed; the restrictions, if any, on other road traffic which is anticipated along each route arising from Light Rail Transit; if any section of the Light Rail Transit will be underground particularly in the inner city; the public consultation, if any, envisaged and the timetable involved; and the process envisaged. [13126/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 388, 392 and 393 together. The core light rail network recommended by the Dublin Transportation Initiative provides for lines to Tallaght, Cabinteely — via the Harcourt Street line — and Ballymun at an estimated cost of approximately £300 million, in 1993 prices. The Operational Programme for Transport, 1994 to 1999, provides for a total expenditure of £200 million on light rail during the period, £175 million of which is proposed to be EU-cofinanced. The DTI final report endorsed this expenditure of £200 million as about the limit of what could be physically implemented in the period.

In October 1994 the Government noted and approved the provisional finding of the light rail project team that the links to Tallaght and Dundrum should be constructed during the current Structural Funds round, with the remaining DTI recommended links to be constructed thereafter. The decision in relation to the two priority phases to be constructed does not imply any abandonment of the remaining phases of the core network. A fourth light rail line to Finglas via the old Broadstone railway line and an extension of the Ballymun line to Dublin Airport and Swords comprise the Phase 2 light rail network recommended by DTI for implementation once the core light rail network has been established.

Following the Government decision, the project team, comprising CIE personnel and consultants, proceeded with the detailed planning work for the two priority phases, including the determination of the preferred technical route alignments. Pending the completion of that work, I am not in a position to furnish detailed information regarding possible routings, station locations, the extent of underground service diversions, the impact on road traffic, opportunities for interchange with other public transport modes and the many other issues associated with implementation of a light rail network. However, I would like to assure the Deputies that I am committed to ensuring the fullest and widest consultation concerning all aspects of the priority phases of the light rail network. I expect to be in a position to formally launch a comprehensive public consultation programme later this year which will detail the proposals for the priority phases and give local people a full opportunity to air their views.

In the immediate future I will be presenting proposals to Government for new legislation to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the development of a light rail network in Dublin. These proposals will deal with a range of issues associated with the development of a light rail network, including the preparation of an environmental impact assessment, the holding of a mandatory public inquiry, land acquisition, etc.

The final configuration of the lines to Tallaght and Dundrum can only be definitively determined when the public consultation programme and the statutory procedures have been completed.