Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Transport the situation regarding the proposed Luas D line to serve Grangegorman and Liffey Junction; the progress made to date in relation to planning and development; when he expects this line to commence and to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/08]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Transport if a final decision has been taken on the way in which the Green and Red Luas lines will be connected; when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23387/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.

Transport 21 provides for the development of a Luas line from St. Stephen's Green to Liffey Junction (Lines BX and D), using the old Broadstone railway alignment. Luas Line BX runs from St. Stephen's Green to O'Connell Street, while Luas Line D is the onward extension of the line from O'Connell Street to Liffey Junction.

I mandated the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), earlier this year, to proceed with planning the delivery of Line BX/D, based on the Agency's preferred route for Line BX and the use of the Old Broadstone railway alignment for Line D.

The RPA is now progressing with detailed planning to implement this decision. In addition, the RPA is engaging with Dublin City Council on the basis that it is its intention to make a single railway order application for the combined Line BX/D to An Bord Pleanala in the latter part of next year.

It will not be possible to fully construct Luas Line BX at the same time as construction of Metro North because of the traffic management implications which would arise in the city centre. The RPA is developing a construction strategy for Luas Line BX/D, in close co-operation with Dublin City Council, which includes use of Metro North construction sites and recognises the traffic management requirements of the city centre.

I understand from the RPA that public consultation on Line D route options will commence this Summer, with the identification of a preferred route option likely before the end of this year.

The timescale for the project will be dependant on the outcome of the construction strategy being developed between the RPA, the City Council and other stakeholders in the city centre. It will also depend on the outcome of the railway order process with An Bord Pleanála.