Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the need to improve public transport and the road infrastructure for Palmerstown, Dublin 20; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are gaps in the provision of public transport in the Palmerstown area; and the measures contained in Transport 21 that will improve the transport situation for Palmerstown. [34415/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under Transport 21 the greater Dublin area will benefit from the development of a fully integrated network of bus and rail services that will facilitate easy interchange by public transport users.

Transport 21 provides for the construction of a new Luas line between Lucan and the city centre. Work on the line will start in 2010 and be completed by 2013. While the precise alignment will not be known until detailed planning work has been carried out, it is expected that the line will serve the existing and new residential areas of Lucan, north Clondalkin, Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot, some of which are adjacent to the Palmerstown area.

The new Lucan line will link up with the orbital metro west line, offering passengers along the Lucan line the opportunity to access the wider Luas, metro and rail network.

Palmerstown will of course continue to be served by the bus which will play a crucial role in the capital's public transport system under Transport 21. A greater focus will be put on the development of orbital, feeder and local bus services. In this regard it is important to point out that it is not a question of bus or rail, but of using both modes to effectively complement each other to maximise the passenger carrying capacity and availability of public transport. Overall we will see the capacity of the bus network increase by 60% over the lifetime of Transport 21. This will of course bring significant benefits to Palmerstown.

In light of the planned investment under Transport 21, I have already asked Dublin Bus to review its network with a view to meeting the immediate and short-term requirement for additional public transport in Dublin and to examine the most effective means of expanding bus services in the short, medium and long term. It is to report to me early in the new year.

On roads, the M50 upgrade will be completed in two phases increasing the number of lanes from four to six. Phase 1 comprises the N4-N7 section adjacent to Palmerstown and will be completed by 2007.