Vol. 467 No. 2
159 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the provision, if any, there is to assist participating groups in connection with their costs in regard to the consultation process which he is proposing to put in place in regard to the Dublin light rail transit system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12951/96]
There are no plans to provide financial assistance towards costs or expenses incurred by individuals or groups in respect of the public consultation programme on the proposed light rail routes being conducted by CIÉ or the proposed statutory public inquiry into the construction of a light railway in Dublin.
160 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give details of the consultancies and the cost thereof, estimated or otherwise, instigated by his Department in connection with the Dublin light rail project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12952/96]
Between 1992 and 1994 transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave were commissioned by my Department to carry out work concerning planning and implementation issues in respect of light rail in the context of the Dublin Transportation Initiative.
Oscar Faber were appointed on 7 June 1996 to carry out a comparative socio-economic evaluation of light rail lines to Tallaght-Dundrum and Tallaght-Ballymun.
Total commitments in respect of these consultancies amount to £179,000 excluding VAT.
My Department recently invited applications from consultants to provide expert advice to the monitoring group which has been established to oversee implementation of the first phase light rail network.
