Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received from the RPA the business plans which examine the extension of the Luas to Cherrywood and the Dublin Docklands; if he will report on the recommendations contained in these business plans; if these business plans will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15487/05]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Transport when the railway order process for the extension of the Sandyford Luas line to Cherrywood will be initiated. [15659/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 55 together.

Responsibility for the development of specific proposals for the expansion of the Luas network lies with the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA. The RPA is currently advancing plans for extensions of Luas to the docklands and Cherrywood and my Department is awaiting business plans from the RPA in order to assist in its evaluation of both extensions. Business plans are not usually published.

Both projects will be considered at a strategic level in the context of the multi-annual transport investment framework which I am developing. A draft of the multi-annual transport plan is currently under consideration by the Cabinet committee on infrastructure, housing and PPPs. I will bring proposals to Government in due course once the Cabinet committee has concluded its work.

Under the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, the statutory approval process for any specific extension of the Luas network is initiated by an application to me by the RPA for a railway order. I understand that such an application, in respect of the Luas extension to Cherrywood, is likely to be submitted in the near future.