Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 1

Written Answers - Light Rail Project.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

27 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when she expects all the land needed for the Luas project which will require compulsory purchase is expected to be acquired in order that the work can proceed and the project be completed. [13059/01]

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

33 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when she expects the Luas line from Tallaght to the city centre to be fully operational. [11482/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 33 together.

In May 1998, I set an indicative timetable for the construction and completion of the light rail lines from Tallaght to Connolly Station and from Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green. Based on progress to date, I am confident that the target date of 2003 for commencement of passenger services on the light rail line from Tallaght to Connolly Station will be achieved. The Light Rail Advisory and Action Group, which I established to oversee the timetable for the project, reported to me in February, 2001, and assured me that the target date of 2003 remains feasible.

The land acquisition programme is well advanced on both lines and negotiations are currently under way regarding the remaining lands to be acquired. While the completion of the acquisition process is not a prerequisite to the commencement of works, the light rail project office expects negotiations on the bulk of the remaining lands to be finalised by the end of the year. Preparatory works on the Tallaght to Connolly Station line commenced in August 1999, and are now substantially complete in some areas. Utility diversion works on the line commenced in December 1999, and some of these contracts have also been completed.

The contractor for the main construction elements of the project was selected in March 2001, and this work, involving mainly track laying and cabling for all lines, will commence on both lines during summer 2001. Work on the Red Cow depot started in August, 2000, and is on schedule for completion in July 2001. The first tram is scheduled for delivery to Dublin in October 2001, and two trams per month will be delivered after January 2002. The competition to select an operator for the system is well underway and it is expected that the franchise will be awarded in October 2001.