Vol. 467 No. 7
409 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position regarding the light rail transport system for Dublin; the current EU position in this regard; the issues of concern, if any, that have been brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14100/96]
Detailed planning and preparatory work in respect of the proposed light rail network, including a programme of public consultation, is being progressed by CIÉ. The Transport (Dublin Light Rail) (No. 2) Bill, 1996, has passed all stages in Dáil Éireann and will be considered by Seanad Éireann this week.
As one would expect given the scale of the light rail project, many concerns and issues have been raised during public consultation and in the debates in this House. They range from fundamental issues such as the need for light rail to questions on the details of the routes to be constructed.
My Department, in consultation with the European Commission, has appointed consultants to carry out a comparative socio-economic evaluation of the Tallaght-Ballymun and Tallaght-Dundrum light rail lines in accordance with EU requirements for major infrastructure projects costing over 25 MECU (approximately £20 million). The consultants are expected to report during August 1996.
