Vol. 489 No. 5
43 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will endeavour to save the EU funding by directing the Luas design team to prepare a scheme which would allow the project to proceed from Tallaght and Sandyford to the city but omitting the underground portion which must not be redesigned in view of media reports that the consultants (details supplied) are recommending the partial undergrounding of Luas. [8313/98]
The position in relation to EU funding for the light rail project was set out in my reply to Question No. 54 on 5 March, 1998.
I expect to receive the WS Atkins report on the underground option before the end of April, in accordance with the agreed delivery deadline. I will bring proposals to Government for decision immediately I receive the report. Media stories on the consultants' purported recommendations are no more than speculation, since their report is not yet completed. Media speculation is not an appropriate basis for Government decisions on the light rail project.
