Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects to join the two existing Luas lines in Dublin City centre; and the preferred route option for such a connection. [35856/06]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in relation to the proposal to join up the two existing Luas lines; when this will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35817/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 106 together.

The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) began a public consultation on five potential routes for connecting the two existing Luas lines in November 2005. I understand that the RPA is engaged in dialogue with the City Council, Dublin Bus and the Dublin Transportation Office in relation to the implications of the potential routes for bus services and other road users. Subject to a satisfactory outcome of those discussions, the RPA expects to identify a preferred option in the coming months and following this an application for a Railway Order will be made.

The construction timescale will be dependent on the route chosen following the public consultation and the discussions with stakeholders and on the outcome of the statutory approval process.