Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
183. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport when the DART extension to Drogheda, County Louth is expected to be delivered; the original delivery date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60327/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DART+ Programme comprises five different, but complementary, projects of which DART+ Coastal North is one. For the Deputy's information, the other four projects are :
- DART+ West ;
- DART+ South West ;
- DART+ Coastal South ; and
- DART+ Fleet .
Naturally there is a sequencing to the delivery of these different projects as each sits within the overall Programme framework and it is also the case that the success of some projects depends on the early delivery of others.
Of the five projects, DART+ West and DART+ Fleet are the most advanced and I am seeking Government approval this week to allow DART+ West enter the statutory planning system and also allow a contract to be signed in relation to DART+ Fleet. DART+ South West is the next most advanced of the infrastructure projects with the second round of non-statutory public consultation underway in relation to it and I expect that project will enter the statutory planning system during 2022.
Design consultants have already been appointed to the DART+ Coastal North project and next year will see the start of the non-statutory public consultation processes in relation to the project, as has been happening this year with DART+ West and DART+ South West. These non-statutory consultation periods are an important input into the planning and design of the project and I’d encourage all interested stakeholders to contribute to those debates on DART+ Coastal North next year.
