Vol. 468 No. 4
930 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, made on the Luas project; if he will identify the sections that will be going underground; and if he will give an update on the talks he has had with the EU in relation to the phasing of the project. [15644/96]
CIE is proceeding with detailed planning and preparatory work in respect of the proposed light rail network including the public consultation programme. Legislation to enable the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to authorise by order the construction, operation and maintenance by CIE of a light railway system serving the greater Dublin area has been enacted. Consultants have been appointed to undertake a comparative socio-economic evaluation of the Tallaght-Dundrum and Tallaght-Ballymum light rail lines. In addition my Department has 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.
The position regarding the underground issue is set out in detail in my reply to Questions Nos. 404 and 416 on 2 July 1996.
My Department and the European Commission will give further consideration to the phasing of the light rail project in light of the outcome of the comparative socio-economic evaluation which is being undertaken.
