Dáil debates

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions

Public Transport Provision

9:40 am

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the Luas to other parts of north Dublin. [37055/14]

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister to his new job and I look forward to dealing with him.

In the past week, media sources have said the NTA and some people in the Minister’s Department are considering a plan to extend the Luas line on the north side of Dublin to Ballymun, Finglas and other places. Are there plans to do so? The Minister’s predecessor, Deputy Varadkar, indicated that there were no plans in this regard. Could the Minister elaborate on the media reports that are appearing?

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his wishes and I, too, look forward to working with him. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the greater Dublin area, such as the Luas light rail projects. The NTA is undertaking a technical consultancy study, entitled the Fingal-north Dublin transport study, to assess the long-term rail transport requirements of the north Dublin-Fingal corridor, extending from Finglas to Malahide and including Dublin Airport and Swords. This review is examining existing proposals, including the metro north, as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the area's needs in the long term. I expect to receive a report from the NTA on the outcome of the review by early 2015. I also expect at that time to receive the updated DART underground business case and the preliminary business case for the Swords/airport bus rapid transit, BRT, from the NTA. I will then consider the options for addressing key public transport deficits in the greater Dublin area, having regard to the outcome of the studies as regards costs, benefits, affordability and funding options, with a view to finalising a position by mid-2015.

Significant Exchequer resources will be required to advance any major project irrespective of the availability of private or EU funds. New projects cannot be funded within the existing level of resources available to my Department. The key priority over the coming years is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. If additional funds are available, which is not certain, there will be many projects competing for these scarce resources. I will prioritise any additional funds for projects for which there is a clear need and which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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While I welcome the NTA's study, it is clear that north Dublin has been the poor man of the transport system. We have a vital area, the airport, to which we need a link. That could be through Ballymun, Finglas or Swords, and it is extremely important. As the Minister knows, because it affects his area, the metro north has already cost approximately €165 million. When the so-called Celtic tiger was in full roar, we were told it would cost €2 billion. Now, it would cost much less. We need to consider such a link. There is a suggestion that the line would go underground from Cabra to Finglas. Could the Minister elaborate on whether this is the case? We have the new station, which is a vital cross-city link. Is there anything in this?

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am well aware of the need for improved public transport in that part of the city. As the Deputy knows, because his constituency is in the area, the population forecast for the region and the development already taking place indicate that public transport is needed now and that the need will grow in years to come. I am well aware of the social impact and economic cost of failing to provide it. In the study to which I referred, 20 projects for the north side of the city are being reviewed, which include existing options such as the metro north. With the amount of debate and contest that has taken place about which mechanism would be used and what it would cost, a study must be done to examine all the options and make a recommendation by way of a shortlist and a selected project. All of that is being done to bring clarity to the situation the Deputy has described.

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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In the past, particularly with regard to the metro north, we were mainly examining the underground option. That was obviously a very costly way of doing it, but there are other ways, and I am sure the NTA is examining whether the project could go overground. There is another issue regarding the metro north. Many people along the route paid levies of €4,000 to €6,000, many of which are outstanding. Will we go down the same road of imposing fees on the basis of whether a route might be put through a certain area?

We need to examine the transport infrastructure across the city to the airport. Ours is the only capital city that does not have a transport link to the airport, which is a shame. I look forward to the NTA's review. Although cost is a major issue, getting this link right and examining how we transport people across the city must be a priority. There would be major benefits if we could transport people by Luas or metro.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Our priority with the funding available is to maintain the infrastructure we have, including roads, and put our money into making them as safe and efficient as possible.

The future outlook is that, with the population growth we expect to see, particularly on the north side of the city, and the economic development taking place in that area, there will be a need for enhanced public transport in the future. That will require new funding from the Exchequer or the private sector, or both, as well as clarity on the best option for that part of the city.

To reply to the Deputy's specific question on development levies for metro north, that project has been deferred and is currently on hold. One of the benefits of this process is that it will allow us to evaluate what the metro north plans would offer in comparison with other routes. I am aware of the money that has already been spent on the project, but I have to make the right choices in regard to taxpayers' money now and in the future. Issues arising in regard to Swiftway, the rapid bus transport system, are also being investigated in the context of developments in that part of the city.