Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will support the demand for two north south LUAS or Metro lines to be built by 2016 as set out in the DTO Platform for Change to redress the imbalance between the northside and the southside of Dublin which has two LUAS lines. [33978/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is currently undertaking extensive work in relation to the Metro and Luas rail projects for Dublin included in Transport 21.

The position as regards Metro and Luas projects of direct relevance to the north side of Dublin is as follows:

In relation to Metro North, which will run from St. Stephen's Green to Swords via Dublin Airport, the RPA has completed an extensive public consultation process for the route alignment. I announced the selected route on 19th October last. This route includes a number of modifications arising from the RPA's consideration of strong feedback during the public consultation process.

Metro West is intended to link Tallaght with Clondalkin, Lucan and Blanchardstown and connect with Metro North at Ballymun. The RPA have made good progress on identifying possible alignments and I understand that the RPA will commence public consultation on route options shortly.

In line with the timeframes set out in Transport 21, Metro North and Metro West are scheduled for completion in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

I am currently considering the inspector's report from the Public Inquiry into the Railway Order application for a Luas extension from Connolly Station to the Point Depot.

The RPA are continuing consultations on the various route options for linking the two existing Luas lines in the city centre; Transport 21 provides for the further extension of this line to Liffey Junction by 2012.

The Dublin Transportation Office's "A Platform for Change" continues to provide a strategic framework for the development of the Greater Dublin Area's transport system. In that context further feasibility studies and planning work will also be undertaken over the period of Transport 21 on other projects not included in Transport 21, but contained in "A Platform for Change". However, funding to bring such projects to construction is not included in the ten-year envelope.