Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Transport the results of a feasibility study into a possible Rathfarnham LUAS line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3472/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Railway Procurement Agency has made significant progress in examining the feasibility of a Luas Line serving Rathfarnham. It is examining the feasibility of a line in the corridor from Dundrum to the city centre via Harold's Cross, Rathfarnham and Terenure.

I understand that the Agency is currently reviewing its preliminary conclusions and following the completion of this process, it will be in a position in the near future to finalise its feasibility report.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to resolve outstanding issues between CIÉ and the Railway Procurement Agency in relation to land use for the proposed LUAS line D; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3470/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for a Luas line to run from St. Stephen's Green to Liffey Junction, with the project being delivered in two phases. The first phase, known as Luas Line Bx, runs from St. Stephen's Green to the City Centre and the second phase, known as Luas Line D, runs from the city centre to Liffey Junction. This is consistent with the long-term transportation strategy in the Dublin Transportation Initiative (1994) and in the Transportation Office's A Platform for Change (2001), both of which envisaged the old Broadstone alignment being used for Luas or Metro rather than suburban rail. The longer term strategy for light rail in Dublin envisages the extension of the line from Liffey Junction to West Finglas and possible onward extension to connect with Metro West.

Iarnród Éireann submitted a proposal in 2007 to my Department in relation to an alternative use of the Broadstone alignment for suburban rail services. Iarnród Éireann proposed using Broadstone to address capacity limitations for suburban services in city centre stations, notwithstanding proposals in Transport 21 for the Interconnector. In this context, my Department engaged transport consultants Booz, Allen and Hamilton to review the proposal from Iarnród Éireann.

As I have indicated on a number of occasions previously, I remain committed to the strategy set out in Transport 21 for the use of the old Broadstone alignment, unless the independent consultants confirm there are very strong strategic, transport and operational arguments, which require consideration of an alternative use.

I recently received the report of the independent consultants and am considering it at present.