Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

Under the new capital investment programme for transport to 2016 the priority for funding is to ensure that investment made to date is protected and safety standards are maintained. Beyond that I have provided funds to advance a small number of projects which will add value to the existing network and support economic recovery. In this regard I have provided funds to allow the commencement of construction of Luas Broombridge or BXD.

This project has been prioritised given that it will advance the proposed long term integration agenda for public transport in the greater Dublin area and create a Luas network through linking the existing lines, serve areas of the north city such as Grangegorman, Phibsborough and Cabra and integrate with rail services on the Maynooth and Dunboyne lines as well as quality bus corridor, cross-city and city centre bus services.

The railway order application for this project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in June 2010 and a decision is awaited. The National Transport Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency have made some appropriate preparatory arrangements but key decisions and actions which will determine the construction start must await the outcome of the planning process.

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