Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the position regarding the progress of the LUAS extension [1579/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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We had debates on the different projects and Luas BXD is one that has been chosen to move ahead. The EU and IMF were critical of us cutting capital spending, which should be borne in mind. We argued that cutting the capital spend, including metro north, was not good because of all the work that was put in and potential job creation. The Minister has indicated that we are awaiting the conclusion of the planning process but new contracts will come in at lower rates than previously as prices in the past were much higher; we would see more realistic prices today.

I hope this is not dragged out for too long and the process can conclude promptly. I would love to know when construction will start but the Minister does not seem to be in a position to indicate the timeframe. I hope it will not be too long as this capital project must be pushed on.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I concur with the Deputy's comments. We must wait to see if we get a rail order, which will have conditions attached. Only then can this go to tender. With regard to the capital investment plan, we only have funds to start construction from 2015, and it is hoped the project will be running by 2017. If a funding mechanism can be provided to bring forward the commencement of works to next year, for example, I would be very enthusiastic about it. We all agree that it would be preferable to have the works on O'Connell Street completed by Easter 2016 rather than being ongoing at that time.

I would like to see more capital projects going ahead but they cannot, as people will know, because of the current financial position. The IMF and EU may have taken the view that we should not have cut capital as hard as we did but their view is that we should have hit current spending harder. That spending includes public sector pay and social welfare, so I am not sure if the view would be shared by the Deputy opposite.

It is interesting that Sinn Féin's stimulus plan, which was published before Christmas, had a proposed €7 billion investment in the economy, most of it borrowed from the European Investment Bank, but not a euro going to transport. I am not sure if Deputy Ellis lost the battle at the Sinn Féin front bench but it was interesting nonetheless.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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We did not lose any battles on capital projects and we believe projects should proceed. We made such a point. The timescale for these projects is very long and the Minister has mentioned dates in 2015 and 2017. The 2016 commemorations are coming up and I would like to see at least one of these projects in place by then.

In Ballymun we collected many contributions along the routes so will the same process occur along the routes for this project? We cannot get the contributions back for people who paid towards the metro north and we do not know when it will come about; that is wrong. Have contributions been made with regard to this line?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It is important to bear in mind with regard to contributions made along the metro line, they are much less than the amount spent on the preparatory planning and enabling works.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The total was approximately €3.1 million.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Some €180 million has been spent. Currently there is no development contribution scheme along the BXD route. It is a matter for the city council and it would be appropriate to have discussions with the council on some form of contribution, particularly with regard to property along the route, including undeveloped sites that will increase in value because of the project.