Jim McDaid (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

The Minister wishes to thank Senator John Phelan for raising this important issue and for providing me an opportunity to advise the Seanad on the progress on the Luas to date and in regard to the facility at the Red Cow roundabout.

Since its establishment at the end of 2001, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, has taken over statutory responsibility from CIE for the Luas project, which involves the provision of a light rail system on lines from Tallaght to Connolly State and from Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green. The development of light rail schemes is currently undergoing a rejuvenation with the construction of a number of schemes underway in mainland Europe and in a number of UK cities. In Dublin, major progress is being made on the construction of Luas and at this stage we are confident that it will compare very favourably with the rest of the current systems.