Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 2

Written Answers. - Meeting on Light Rail System.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

138 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 311 on 21 May 1996, he will seek an explanation from CIÉ regarding the refusal of the authorities in charge of the light rail transit system to attend a meeting on 22 May 1996 with the residents of Arran Quay Terrace, Dublin 7, together with their elected public representatives; the reason CIÉ insisted on a private meeting with the residents, excluding their public representatives, an arrangement that was unacceptable to the residents; if he will request CIÉ to meet the residents, with their public representatives, to hear CIÉ's response to alternative routes around Arran Quay Terrace, Dublin 7. [11216/96]

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

I understand that CIE invited the residents of Arran Quay Terrace to a meeting in Heuston Station on 22 May 1996 to facilitate discussion of matters, including matters of a personal nature, of concern to the residents. I also understand that CIE is now proceeding with plans for further meetings with the residents and their public representatives.

Management of the public consultation programme on the proposed light rail network is a matter for CIE and I do not propose to dictate to the company how the process should be run. I am satisfied that there will be circumstances where one to one meetings or consultation with small groups will be necessary and it would be wrong of me to rule that out. However, as I indicated in my reply to Question No. 311 of 21 May 1996 I am satisfied that CIE or its public relations consultants are not pursuing a policy of excluding public representatives from meetings to discuss the proposed light rail network.