Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 126 together.

Since the launch of Transport 21 in November last, I have received applications for two railway orders for Luas extensions to docklands and Cherrywood. The public inquiries for these projects, are expected to be completed by the summer and contracts awarded by the end of the year. The Cherrywood extension is expected to commence construction this year. An announcement on the preferred route for linking the red and green Luas lines in the city centre should be made later this month, while the public consultation on the route of metro north should also commence later this month.

The first phase of the DART upgrade project has been completed on time and within the budget of €176 million. Delivery of the 67 new intercity carriages for operation on the Dublin-Cork route will be complete later this year and they will be introduced into service gradually, allowing Iarnród Éireann to provide a service every hour on the route by the end of 2006.

The public inquiry for the Kildare route project began on 23 January and construction work on the project is expected to commence in 2006. I expect to receive, in the next few months, a railway order application in respect of the re-opening of the railway line between Glounthaune and Midleton. Other rail projects, expected to commence construction in 2006 are the new docklands railway station and the new intercity railcar depot at Portlaoise.

With regard to buses, Dublin Bus recently submitted an application for funding to me for additional fleet requirements, taking account of the emerging findings of its bus network review, which is nearing completion. This is being examined in my Department at present. I understand Bus Éireann is also finalising proposals for the expansion of its fleet and I expect an application from that company shortly.

Three roads projects have opened to traffic since the launch of Transport 21. These are the N6 Kinnegad-Enfield bypass, N22 Gortatlea-Farranfore and N6 Loughrea bypass. Work has commenced on three further projects, namely, the N5 Charlestown bypass, M50 phase 1 and the N51 Navan inner relief road. During 2006, the NRA expects to complete 13 projects with a combined length of more than 82 kilometres and the major impact of Transport 21 will be felt this year with the commencement of work on 15 projects with a combined length of 334 kilometres. Deputies will appreciate the scaling up of delivery of the roads programme.

With regard to costs, I have stated previously that I do not consider it prudent to release commercially sensitive information on the cost of individual projects within Transport 21 until the public procurement processes are complete. I must maintain that position in the interests of protecting the taxpayer and ensuring Transport 21 is achieved within its budget of €34 billion.

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