Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

A number of enabling works must take place, including the purchase of land. Some of these works are under way. The design cost must continue to be considered.

There was much speculation on whether metro north was to proceed. Deputy Broughan and I had discussions on it in the House and I acknowledged his acceptance of my advice not to raise issues about whether it would go ahead. I thank him for this. However, I have heard much ignorant comment about metro north and questions as to why we do not acquire buses. To do what we want with metro north, that is, to move approximately 20,000 passengers in each direction during peak travel times, we would have to invest in approximately 400 to 500 buses. There would not be sufficient road space to do so. If one were to opt for a Luas solution, as some are advocating, the maximum number of passengers one could accommodate would be approximately 8,000 per hour at peak time. Given that the population is to grow to approximately 500,000 to 600,000 by 2015-16, a Luas or totally bus-based system of public transport in the north County Dublin area is a nonsensical proposition.

If we could do nothing but carry out the metro north and interconnector projects over the next four or five years, we would lay the foundation for a really good public transport system. The investment involved in metro north should not be considered in light of the 30-year period during which we will pay for it under the public private partnership but in light of the fact that the system will serve the needs of the people for 50 or 100 years. This is why I am so committed to making progress.

Planning for the DART interconnector is also continuing and good progress is being made. I have made it clear to CIE that I want to see this progress maintained and, where possible, accelerated. In deference to people in business, particularly in the city centre, I want to minimise the period of disruption and work on both projects together. Deputy Broughan and other Members have raised this with me in the House. CIE is aware of the issue and is making a considerable effort to address it. There are certain areas in which works must be carried out sequentially but others in which they can be carried out simultaneously.

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