I expect to receive the consultants' report on the option of putting the Dublin light rail system underground in the city centre at the end of April. Given the short timescale for the overall study and given the volume of analytical work and evaluation which the consultants have to carry out within a very tight timetable, they will not be in a position to reach any useful conclusions until late in the study. An interim report would not, therefore, advance the decision making process and could delay completion of their final report.
The consultants' report will be received in time to be taken into account during the review of EU funding for the Luas and other projects. This review will take place later in the Spring in preparation for a meeting of the Community Support Framework Monitoring Committee which I understand has been scheduled for June.
At my meeting with Commissioner Wulf-Mathies last November I briefed her fully on the current position in the Luas project.
Details of the plans to improve Dublin's existing public transport network — many of which were outlined in the Deputy's study yesterday — thereby contributing towards easing the traffic congestion, were set out in my reply to Question No. 58 on 16 December 1997. These plans include implementation of the 11 quality bus corridors and three DART-suburban rail corridors as recommended in the Dublin Transportation Initiative. Bus Átha Cliath is continuing to upgrade its bus fleet and to review its network to meet changing passenger demand. New stations are planned on the Maynooth line and additional rail-cars are on order for the suburban rail network. It is essential that work on all these measures continues as, when completed, the light rail system will still only serve three of the 16 radial public transport corridors.