Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the members for coming to consider this technical Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The entirety of this Supplementary Estimate is taken up with one project, namely Luas cross-city. Luas cross-city will shortly begin operations and will provide a real benefit to our transport infrastructure. The Luas network has been a huge success story for Dublin's public transport system and there have already been a number of improvements to the network since the green and red lines began operations in 2004 - for example, the extensions to Cherrywood and the Docklands. Luas cross-city has been a priority project for the Government and has been delivered on target and within budget. With testing and training of drivers coming to a conclusion, Luas cross-city will commence passenger services on 9 December. The project will be a hugely beneficial addition to the public transport network in Dublin, enhancing the overall capacity available. This will encourage more people to use public transport, which will assist in alleviating congestion in the city. Alleviating congestion is particularly important at present as the level of economic activity is, thankfully, continuing to grow. I know that the past few years have been challenging for the city and for businesses, and we all look forward to the works drawing to a close and the start of operations next month. I take this opportunity to thank the people, particularly the business people, of Dublin for their patience. I feel they are about to be rewarded.

Passenger numbers on the Luas network exceeded 34 million in 2016. Luas Cross City is forecast to provide for up to 10 million additional passenger journeys per annum. Under the agreed budgetary profile for the funding of the Luas cross-city project, an element of the costs arising in 2017 will be borne through the release of section 49 levies held in reserve by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. These levies in the amount of €12.5 million were collected by TII under section 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The levies were collected in respect of the Luas extensions to Cherrywood and the Docklands. These levies can now be surrendered by TII to my Department for reallocation to the National Transport Authority, NTA, for costs relating to Luas cross-city. The Supplementary Estimate will facilitate arrangements to reallocate the funds in question to fund Luas cross-city project expenditure which was incurred during 2017.

Luas cross-city completes the missing link in the Luas network. It will help to create an integrated public transport system in Dublin by extending the existing green line at St. Stephen's Green to Broombridge and providing an interchange between the existing red and green lines in the city centre. It will also serve the new Dublin Institute of Technology campus at Grangegorman. Luas cross-city will also enhance the image of Dublin as a shopping, tourist and business destination. This in turn will lead to increases in investment and economic activity. I have no doubt that Luas cross-city will bring huge benefits to the city, including to the businesses in the city centre and along its route. I very much look forward to seeing it up and running. I am happy to address any questions members of the committee may have on this technical Supplementary Estimate to help fund Luas cross-city.