Light Rail Project.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Ceisteanna (595)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

686 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to review the feasibility of a LUAS line to Coolock which would also serve the area surrounding Northside Shopping Centre in view of the residential and commercial development proposed for this location and the earlier commitment to such a light rail system in the document of the Dublin Transportation Office entitled Platform for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30076/08]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Transport 21 contains a commitment to carry out feasibility work on additional Luas projects over the period to 2015. This includes a Luas line from Whitehall to Howth junction via Coolock, as identified at a strategic level in the DTO's A Platform for Change.

The DTO is currently preparing a new transportation strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which is scheduled for completion in early 2010. It would be prudent to await the outcome of that work before commissioning a feasibility study. This will enable the DTO take account of any changes in transport and land usage patterns since it's last strategy.