Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1124: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide a detailed report on plans for the extension of the highly successful Luas line to Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29868/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for an extension to the Luas red line from Connolly Station to the Point Depot and for a spur off the Tallaght line to City West.

The public inquiry into the RPA's application for a railway order for the Luas extension from Connolly Station to the Point Depot concluded on 2 June 2006 and the inspector's report on that inquiry was published on 6 August 2006. I am currently considering the inspector's report and all other relevant documentation in relation to the RPA's application with a view to making a decision on this matter in due course.

Following agreement with developers on contributions by the latter to the cost of the proposed spur off the Tallaght Luas line to City West, the RPA launched an up-dated public consultation exercise in August 2006. The up-date concerns a new proposed terminus at Garter Lane involving an extra 800 metres of Luas track. The original public consultation, which was launched in February 2006, concerned an extension terminating at Fortunestown Lane. The overall revised length of the proposed spur to City West is 4 kilometres. The RPA expects to submit a railway order application for this extension by the end of the year.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1125: To ask the Minister for Transport if assurances will be sought from Dublin Bus that they will respond positively to the need for improved bus services in the Tallaght region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29869/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently considering an application from Dublin Bus for funding for 200 additional buses to be delivered in 2006 and 2007. The application is being considered in the context of Transport 21, the bus network review completed by Dublin Bus and the bus market reform process. I expect to make an announcement shortly on the application having regard to the outcome of Government deliberations on bus market reform. The deployment of the buses by Dublin Bus is an operational matter for the company and I have no function relating thereto.