Vol. 496 No. 3
39 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the membership and terms of reference of the recently announced Luas task force; the progress, if any, made regarding the promised public consultation on the proposed surface section of the Broadstone to Ballymun to airport line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22545/98]
74 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has appointed consultants to advise on a public private partnership in relation to any section of the Dublin Light Rail Project; the terms of reference of the advisory group to ensure that Luas timetable is met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22653/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 39 and 74 together.
To ensure that the development of the expanded Luas network proceeds without delay, I have established a light rail advisory action group. The group will oversee the planning and implementation of the expanded LUAS system and report directly to me. Its reports will be published.
The group will be chaired by Padraic White, former managing director of the IDA. Its members will be Donal Mangan, light rail project director, Tom Wall of the ICTU, Gerry Duggan of ESB International, Caroline Gill, the Insurance Ombudsman, Oliver O'Connor of Robson Rhodes Chartered Accountants and Pat Mangan, an Assistant Secretary in my Department. This group will assist in keeping up the momentum so that the LRT network will be introducted in as short a time as possible.
CIE has informed me that a public consultation on the proposed light rail to service the north side of the city and the airport will begin within the next couple of weeks. A consultation document will be circulated to householders in the affected areas of the city.
My Department is currently evaluating tenders received in response to a request for consultants to advise on a public private partnership approach to the light rail project. I expect to be in a position in the very near future to make an appointment in this regard.
