Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposed big dig for metro north, the Luas link up and the Dublin rail interconnector in Dublin; the stakeholders he has met in preparation for the big dig; if he has held meetings with the Chamber of Commerce, IBEC, Dublin City Centre Business Association and other interested stakeholders in this regard; if he will publish the risk assessment strategy undertaken for the proposed big dig; when work will commence on the proposed new Macken Street bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23277/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Transport the actions he will take to protect businesses by lessening the impact of construction in the city centre during the upcoming big dig of major transport investment projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23369/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 131 together.

A number of Transport 21 projects are planned for the period up to 2015, which will have a major impact on Dublin city centre. These include Metro North, DART Interconnector and Luas Line BX/D. Pending the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority, the Dublin City Manager chairs the Dublin Transport 21 Implementation Group which co-ordinates and oversees the investment programme in Dublin. The group comprises the chief executives of the principal implementing agencies, an Assistant Secretary from my Department, the Fingal County Manager, the Director of Traffic and representatives of the Garda Síochána and business associations.

Two sub-groups have been established and the business community are represented on both.

The Contingency Planning Group will oversee the preparation of a traffic management plan for the Transport 21 construction phase, focused particularly on the city centre. This plan will also take account of other construction activity by local authorities, public bodies and private developers.

The Communications Group will prepare and oversee a co-ordinated communications strategy for the construction period of major Transport 21 projects, such as Metro North and the Interconnector. The theme of this strategy will be Dublin is open for business.

In addition, in March this year I held a meeting with the Transport 21 implementing agencies, An Garda Síochána and business organisations in Dublin to identify the principal concerns of the business community and to review progress on traffic planning for the construction phase. I intend that this will be the first in a regular series of meetings over the coming years to review progress.

The provision and financing of a bridge at Macken Street is primarily a matter for Dublin City Council. I understand that work has commenced on the proposed bridge which will be part financed by a State road grant provided by my Department. Progress with the construction of the bridge is a matter for the local authority.