Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Transport if a public sector benchmark has been prepared in regard to the financing of the metro project as a public private partnership; the details of the way in which such a PPP will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36029/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 includes a metro line from the city centre to Swords via Dublin Airport, metro north, and an orbital metro route, metro west, linking Tallaght with Clondalkin, Blanchardstown and Ballymun. Metro north and west will be developed as public private partnerships, PPPs. It is likely that the infrastructure will be procured on the basis of a design, build, finance and maintain, DBFM, PPP, with a separate PPP contract for the operation of services. The PPP consortia that win the infrastructure contracts will finance the capital cost of the project, probably through a mix of borrowings and equity. The consortia will be paid by the Exchequer over a period of years, usually in the region of 25 years. Payments will not begin until the service commences, thus incentivising the consortium to deliver early. These payments will cover the costs of the consortia including construction, infrastructure maintenance and renewal and financing costs. The consortia will be responsible for ensuring that the projects are delivered on time and that the infrastructure is available for service over the full period of the contract to the required standard.

The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is at present preparing a detailed implementation plan for the metro north line. This includes the preparation of a public sector benchmark. The implementation plan will also include public consultation, which will commence in early 2006.