Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 38 and 70 together. Since 1 December 2009, the implementation of the DART underground project is a matter under the remit of the National Transport Authority, NTA. Officials from my Department and the NTA hold monthly monitoring meetings. Following a request from my Department, the NTA arranged for a presentation by the DART underground team from Irish Rail to coincide with the monthly meeting on 25 May 2010. Irish Rail advised that the change in the DART underground timetable is driven by practical and technical considerations.

The first consideration is that the railway order application may take longer than originally planned. This is based on the experience of metro north. The second consideration is that construction and testing are now estimated to take longer than earlier projected. This includes allowing for the extension of the project from Heuston to Inchicore and also arises from a decision to use two tunnel boring machines instead of four. This change to fewer tunnel boring machines lessens the environmental impact of the project and reduces costs considerably.

Irish Rail also advised that these are conservative estimates on the timeframe and it is possible that the PPP company may make substantial improvements to this programme by, for example, using innovative techniques. It is also possible An Bord Pleanála can reduce the time taken to consider the railway order application, having regard to its experience on metro north. The Government remains committed to the earliest possible start-up date and the speediest possible delivery of this project consistent with securing best value for money. It will continue to pursue all available opportunities to shorten the delivery timescale.

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