Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Transport the preparations being undertaken by his Department in terms of managing traffic and potential major disruption to citizens and businesses in Dublin due to the prospective big dig in Dublin city for metro north, the Dublin interconnector and Luas extensions; his views on the appointment of one individual with responsibility across the relevant agencies and bodies to manage and minimise the potential disruption to the city or if he will discharge this function; if the new Dublin Transport Authority will be the lead body in managing this project; if there has been a detailed risk assessment of the project ; if it will be completed by Easter 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17361/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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A number of major infrastructure projects, planned under Transport 21 for the period to 2015, will have a major impact on Dublin city centre. These include metro north, the rail interconnector and the cross-city and Lucan Luas lines. There will also be other major construction activity during the same period, including the renewal of water and electricity services and a number of large private developments.

To facilitate the implementation of these Transport 21 projects, the Dublin city manager has set up and is chairing a Dublin Transport 21 implementation group consisting of the chief executives of the principal implementing agencies and representatives of my Department, the Garda Síochána, Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Dublin City Business Association. Among the functions of that group is the preparation of a traffic management plan for the city centre during the construction of the Transport 21 projects. This plan will make provision for alternative traffic routes and for improved public transport priority measures while taking account of the concerns of various interests, in particular the business community. All agencies participating in the formulation of the plan are aware of the importance of maintaining access to the centre of Dublin and of retaining its competitive edge.

In support of the initiative by Dublin City Council, I recently convened a meeting on 6 March of the principal implementing agencies, An Garda Síochána and business representatives, to reassure maximum information was interchanged between the stakeholders. The meeting was also to identify the principal concerns of the business community and consider how best to support the necessary traffic planning for the construction phase. This will be the first in a regular series of meetings to review progress.

The steps outlined constitute an effective approach to the traffic management issues likely to arise from the major investment projects in Dublin city centre. I am also satisfied that Dublin City Council should continue to lead on the development and implementation of this plan, pending the establishment of the Dublin transport authority on a statutory basis. In particular, I welcome the personal commitment of the Dublin city manager to this important work.

The Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 is on Committee Stage in the Seanad. Section 64 proposes to give the Dublin transport authority specific statutory responsibility for preparing a strategic traffic management plan for the greater Dublin area which will set out the measures to be taken by the authority to optimise the movements of persons, goods and vehicles. In particular it will set out action to be taken to minimise the impact of construction work for transport infrastructure and other utilities. The Bill also proposes to give the authority wide funding and directive powers with surface transport in the greater Dublin area which will enable it to ensure effective action is taken in this area.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Is the Minister saying the Dublin City Manager, Mr. John Tierney, will be responsible for this mega-project, the largest construction project in Dublin city centre since the rebuilding after the 1916 Rising? Has the Minister completed a detailed risk assessment of the big dig? Has he received a cost benefit analysis on its impact on city centre business?

Last week the distinguished journalist, Mr. Frank McDonald pointed out the proposed central metro station will destroy St. Stephen's Green. Even after the four years of construction and 8,000 truckloads of soil are removed, a quarter of the green will be covered with escape shafts for the station. What will be the impact of the proposed metro stations at the O'Connell monument and at the Parnell monument on O'Connell Street? Will it be a case of tens of thousands of trucks moving soil up and down O'Connell Street and the quays? Many of those who are interested in being involved in this construction project have taken it for granted that the monuments — Dan O'Connell and his angels and Parnell, our lost leader — will have to be moved for several years. I would not mind if the Spire goes and we do not see it again. O'Connell Street and all its adjoining streets will be a major construction site for five years.

This is a monumental task and the largest one ever overseen by the Minister for Transport. When Minister for the Environment and Local Government he oversaw the Limerick city drainage project which lost the State €90 million. This only concerns the metro. When the interconnector is constructed there will be additional construction work at Christchurch and Pearse Station.

I welcome the Minister's reappointment yesterday.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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He should have been fired.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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However, is he capable of managing the largest infrastructure project in Dublin's history? Dubs, like myself, know and are told very little about the project. The Minister has spent millions of euro on a stupid advertising campaign for Transport 21. Dublin city will be torn apart by transport development and yet the Minister does not tell us how it will happen.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I inform the public and I get attacked by the Deputy. I have an Opposition spokesperson who is meant to know all Transport 21 and is supposed to mark me in the House and yet he knows nothing about it. I do not know how he is winning. Deputy Broughan should come over to the Department of Transport and we will give him a thorough briefing on it.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I know more about the big dig than the Minister.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My mother says you cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs. I have never said anything other than there will be disruption in Dublin city for the massive changes and improvements to the public transport network. It does not matter how well it is managed, there will be restrictions and disruption. I will not be directing traffic or such other. There are agencies available to do this. My job is to provide the funds, the strategic direction and ensure value for money.

Concerning the article by the journalist referred to by Deputy Broughan, he used a sketch that is out of date. There will be some alterations to St. Stephen's Green. The construction of the other stations will cause some disruption. The object of the construction of two new bridges over the River Liffey is to minimise disruption. It is not helpful to talk about devastation in Dublin city centre.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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We are worried considering the Minister's track record.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The information campaign will highlight that Dublin city centre will be open for business while construction takes place.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Another €3 million wasted.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Disruption will be kept to a minimum but cannot be eliminated.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Last Monday, Deputy Fahey did a PR runner, probably hoping to be in the Cabinet, on traffic management. When will the Minister announce a detailed traffic management plan for the big dig?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Fahey was even using the royal "we".

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Dublin City Council will have a traffic management plan available before the end of the year. Work is ongoing on the plan and I have had briefings on it.