Vol. 523 No. 1
302 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current position in relation to the completion of the South Dublin Luas line; whether it is proposed to extend the line to Stepaside; and the action being taken in this regard. [19436/00]
I granted a light railway order to CIE for the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line in November 1999. Preparatory physical works began on the line earlier this year and the main construction contract will be awarded shortly. The line is on target to begin operations in mid-2003.
The Government has accepted the proposals in the Dublin Transportation Office Strategy to 2016. One of the proposals contained in the DTO strategy is the southward extension of the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line to Cherrywood and later to Shanganagh. The precise alignment for this extension has yet to be finalised but I have asked the light rail project office in CIE immediately to commence preparatory work on this issue.
