Written answers

Wednesday, 6 December 2006

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Transport if the abandonment of the Metro and Luas line to serve the area between the existing green and red Luas lines in the south Dublin suburbs was sanctioned by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41786/06]

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the Railway Procurement Agency to bring the alignment design for the south-side Metro and Luas lines dropped from Platform For Change to a point where it can request local authorities to provide for the land reservations in their development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41787/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 113 together.

I want to begin by refuting the suggestion that the lines referred to by the Deputy have been abandoned. While Transport 21 involves a very large commitment of financial resources, those resources are also finite. Transport 21 provides funding for the delivery of an extensive rail based network in the period 2006 to 2015. This network is based on the Dublin Transportation Office strategy "A Platform for Change". The Railway Procurement Agency is tasked with the delivery of the Luas and Metro elements of Transport 21. In the short to medium term the RPA is focused on delivering all Luas/Metro projects for which financial support is provided for in Transport 21.

The DTO strategy remains the longer-term strategic framework for transport in the Greater Dublin Area. Funding is provided for feasibility studies on those elements of the "A Platform for Change" which are not included in Transport 21. These include a metro line from Tallaght via Kimmage to the city centre and the proposed Luas line from the city centre to Dundrum via Terenure. The RPA will investigate the feasibility of these suggested projects during the timescale of Transport 21. This work will help define in more detail the corridors to be used for these projects. The Government has already taken decisions on Transport 21 and more particularly on the key elements of an integrated transport network for the Greater Dublin Area, based on a robust professional analysis by the DTO and the relevant transport delivery agencies. Over the past year we have developed a growing momentum on the delivery of this very large investment programme. The reality is that we cannot do everything at once and have to prioritise. However this does not mean that projects that are not scheduled for construction during Transport 21 are off the agenda. Our intention is that feasibility and planning work should proceed on those projects so that they are ready for a future investment programme.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason the Cork commuter rail project did not begin construction in 2006; when this project will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41788/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Subject to a satisfactory outcome to the Railway Order process, it is expected that the construction of the Glounthaune to Midleton railway line can commence in 2007 and still be completed in line with Transport 21. The Railway Order process has taken longer than anticipated. I appointed an Inspector to hold a Public Inquiry into CIE's application for the project on 26 May last. The Inquiry opened on 31 October and concluded on 3 November. I am now awaiting the report of the Inspector into the Public Inquiry before I can make my decision as to whether to grant the Railway Order.

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