Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made with Transport 21; the committees, groups and so on that are in place associated with Transport 21; their work and issues raised to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35886/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Significant progress has been made on Transport 21 since its launch on 1 November 2005. The following are the details of progress in the specific sectors covered by Transport 21.

Luas/Metro: I approved a Railway Order for Cherrywood Luas extension on 14 August 2006. However, in early October a third party sought leave in the High Court to challenge the grant of this Order, by way of judicial review. This matter is now before the courts.

The Public Inquiry for the Docklands extension has been completed, the inspector's report has been submitted and I will decide on the Railway Order application shortly. Public consultation on the further extension of the Luas from Cherrywood to Bray was launched on 14 August 2006. An application from the Railway Procurement Agency for a Railway Order for the Citywest Luas extension is expected in the coming weeks. The RPA is undertaking public consultation on the City Centre line linking the two existing Luas lines. I recently announced the route alignment for Metro North and detailed planning work is now taking place. The RPA will commence public consultation on the route options for Metro West before the end of this year.

Suburban Rail: I have approved, and will shortly sign, the Railway Order for the Kildare Route. Construction work is expected to commence in 2007. Construction of the Docklands Railway Station is well advanced and scheduled to open in Spring 2007. The Public Inquiry for the Midleton rail line is underway since 31 October. Work on the traincare depot in Portlaoise will commence shortly.

Irish Rail will, by end 2006, introduce into service 67 new rail carriages for use on the Dublin-Cork route and will increase the level of service on the route by providing hourly clockface services from December. I have approved funding for the first 2 phases of the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Athenry and from Athenry to Tuam subject, in the case of the latter, to the completion by Iarnród Éireann of a fuller appraisal. Clearing work has commenced on Phase 1.

Buses: Funding has been approved for 100 additional buses for Dublin Bus and for 160 buses for Bus Éireann for use on non-commercial routes.

National Roads: The NRA has completed and opened to traffic 13 projects and has commenced 10 new projects in 2006 as follows.

A dedicated Division has been established within my Department to oversee the implementation of all aspects of Transport 21.

I have also established a high-level Monitoring Group, comprising representatives of relevant Government Departments and assisted by the Chief Executives of the State agencies with responsibility for implementing the projects in Transport 21. The main role of this Group is to monitor the implementation of projects provided for in Transport 21. It also reviews compliance with the Department of Finance's Capital Appraisal Guidelines and Value for Money Indicators.

A Programme Board comprising senior managers from my Department is responsible for the overall management of the Transport 21 capital envelope and for issues which are cross-sectoral in nature such as capital appraisal, communications and information.

A communications subgroup of the Transport 21 Monitoring Group, comprising the press officers of each of the implementing agencies and Departmental staff, has also been set up. The Group meets frequently to discuss all issues arising in connection with the promotion of Transport 21 and to co-ordinate the communications activities of the agencies.