John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Transport the cost of Metro North to the State over a 25 year contractual period by giving an estimate based on the lowest and highest tenders the Government received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42674/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1 December 2009, the implementation of Metro North is a matter for the National Transport Authority. My Department's policy on the release of cost and economic information on transport projects is designed to protect the taxpayer's interest. There is a balance to be struck between promoting public transparency and ensuring value for money in this regard.

The Railway Procurement Agency is currently involved in an ongoing PPP procurement process for Metro North with two bidding groups. There is a risk that releasing any information on tenders received in regard to Metro North would provide an indication of what the State is prepared to pay for the project. Bidders involved in the project could then focus their final bids at that level instead of at the lowest price at which they can deliver the project. Given the reasons I have outlined, it is clear that it would not be in the public interest to release any information which has the potential to increase the cost to the taxpayer of delivering this project. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has made available on its website a redacted version of the most up-to-date business case for metro north. The NTA has had the business case independently reviewed and has confirmed that the cost-benefit analysis for the project remains strong. My Department and the implementing agencies have undertaken to provide relevant economic and financial information on projects at an appropriate time but without compromising the commercial sensitivity attached to the projects.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is important to cut to the chase. It is no longer a matter for the National Transport Authority or the Railway Procurement Agency. They continue to work on metro north. The issues around metro north relate to whether the Government will sanction it and this is the issue I would like the Minister to address. There is great uncertainty around what is likely to be the biggest infrastructure project in the State for the next decade and people do not know where we stand. They do not know whether the Government will sanction the €75 million which will be necessary next year to conclude the tendering process and carry out the ancillary works required before any major project can begin. Will the Minister give an indication of his and the Government's view on metro north at this stage? Is it going ahead or not?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is wonderful that no matter how often a Minister stands up and says a project is going ahead, all it takes is one newspaper article for someone to say it is not going ahead.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Give us some clarity. That is why I have asked the question.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I stand clearly on the record as recently as last Friday down in Gort.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has not done so here.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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That is a definite answer indeed.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Again, no answer.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Finally last month, the railway order was granted by An Bord Pleanála. However, it was granted in such a manner that there are certain curtailments to the project, including approximately 2 km of track to be removed at Belinstown and the proposed depot being switched to another site. Consequently, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, must apply for a new railway order.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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A question, Deputy.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Consequently, there will be some delay in the project. The signing of any contracts will not take place soon. It might be well in 2012 or later.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is correct to note that An Bord Pleanála made a change to the terminal for metro north and has not allowed the depot to go ahead at Belinstown. However, he is not correct to suggest that a new railway order will be necessary. A planning issue must be dealt with for the depot. The NTA and the RPA have estimated that because of the way the planning permission is worded there will be approximately a six month delay. They hope to be in a position to have the matter out of the way in six months but it will have a knock-on effect. This will mean the actual construction will begin sometime in 2012 but it does not affect the commencement of the facilitating works, which must be carried out before the contractors come on site.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to have the Minister on the record of the House regarding his commitment to metro north. Will the Minister clarify what he stated in Gort last week? I was not there at the time.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I will send the Deputy the blacks of all the times I have stated that I believe this is a very good project which should go ahead. The situation is that we have got the railway order for it. The next procedure is to get the bidders. When the bids come in-----

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand the procedure. Is the Government committed or not?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Let me inform the House of the procedure because I have no wish for the Deputy to come to the House at the next Question Time and state, "You said it was going ahead".

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We are very short of time. Will the Minister answer the question, please?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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When the bids are finalised I must bring a cost-benefit analysis to Government and, once that is done, the Government will make that decision. However, provision is being made for metro north in the capital programme into the future.

Deputies:

The Minister might not be there at that stage.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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"Yes" or "No"?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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So, no decision has been made yet.