John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine when he will begin the public consultation process to select a preferred route for the new LUAS line to Lucan, Co. Dublin. [21925/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, on Thursday last, 27th September, I launched the public consultation process on behalf of the RPA for the new Luas Line from Lucan to the City Centre.

The Lucan Luas Line is a key component of the Government's Transport 21 investment programme. This new line will be approximately 15 km in length and is expected to add some 25 million extra passengers per annum to the Luas network. The expected journey time from Lucan to the city centre is about 42 minutes.

Two main route options, together with a number of local sub-options, have so far been identified by the RPA. The public, and indeed all interested parties, have now been asked to submit their views and comments to the RPA on the route which this new Luas line should take.

The first route option identified by the RPA runs from Lucan Village to Trinity College via Ballyowen Park, Liffey Valley, Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, Inchicore, James's Hospital and Christchurch. The second option runs from Newcastle Road in Lucan to St. Stephen's Green via Castle Riada, Collinstown Park, Park West, Drimnagh, Rialto, The Coombe and Kevin Street.

I am delighted to see that the RPA is maintaining the momentum on the suite of Luas and Metro projects under Transport 21 which will, when completed, serve to ease congestion, increase accessibility and improve the public travel experience throughout the Greater Dublin Area.