Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the delivery date for metro north. [15541/08]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 159: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the full cost of the proposed metro north underground system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15583/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 159 together.

As I have stated previously, I am not in a position to publish the estimated capital cost of the Metro North project in advance of the completion of public procurement procedures. The publication of such commercially sensitive information prior to the completion of the competitive procurement process would prejudice the State's capacity to derive maximum value for money in respect of the project. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) will be issuing the tender documentation to the four bidding consortia in the coming weeks. Detailed planning and design work on Metro North is ongoing and RPA expects to lodge an application with An Bórd Pleanála for a Railway Order in the current year. The target date for completion of the project is 2013. The completion of the project will be critically determined by the outcome of both the planning and procurement processes. Once these processes have been completed the RPA will be in a position to provide greater certainty on the completion date of Metro North.