Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on allocating funding not now required for some years for the LUAS Line BX to the construction for a LUAS line for Rathfarnham; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24700/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Dublin City Council is currently undertaking a traffic modelling exercise as part of its examination of revised traffic management arrangements in the city centre, which will be required for the delivery of the Luas city centre link (line BX), the further extension to Liffey Junction (line D) and also Metro North.

In addition, the RPA is considering ways of streamlining and combining construction works on these projects in order to minimise the impact on the city centre.

Following completion of further detailed design work and subject to a satisfactory outcome to the city centre traffic management planning work, the RPA plans to submit a Railway Order application for Luas Line BX to An Bord Pleanála next year. Decisions on a construction timetable for Luas Line Bx will be taken by the RPA in light of the outcome of the planning process.

I understand that the RPA commenced work on examining the feasibility of a Luas line to Rathfarnham in April this year. The Agency has been progressing the study since that date and are confident that they will be in a position to make an initial view in relation to the feasibility of a Rathfarnham Luas Line available to my Department by the end of the year.

It would, therefore, be premature to consider any reallocation of funding pending the outcome of the planning process on Luas Line Bx and the feasibility study on the Rathfarnham line.