Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Transport if the allegations contained in a newspaper article (details supplied) on metro north, where a source is quoted as saying, metro north will be the first to go, are true; and if he will make a statement on the future of the project and the timescale for completion. [26148/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the Government's commitment to fund the development of the metro north project; when construction of this project is due to commence; when construction of this project is due to be completed; when it is due to open; the amount it is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26286/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.

The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Metro North project which is a critical element of the Transport 21 strategy to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area.

The primary purpose of Metro North is to provide a high quality public transport service for north Dublin. It will serve a number of important generators of traffic — the Mater Hospital, DCU and Dublin Airport. More importantly the successful implementation of Fingal County Council's development plan, particularly in the greater Swords area, hinges on the delivery of Metro North.

The Metro North project is progressing well- the tender documents were issues to the four PPP bidding consortia in mid May, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has held meetings with the consortia recently. The bidders are putting their bids together with a view to submitting them towards the end of this year.

Detailed planning and design work on the project is ongoing and the 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. However, this date will be critically determined by the outcome of both the planning and procurement processes. These processes will also determine when the main project will commence, when a contractor will be appointed, when the project will be completed and when operations will commence.

In January 2008, the Government approved the funding structure for the Metro North PPP, including an Exchequer provision for advance works ahead of the main PPP contract.

I am not in a position to publish the estimated capital cost of the Metro North project in advance of the completion of the public procurement process. 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.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the Government's commitment to fund the development of the metro west project; when construction of this project is due to commence; when construction of this project is due to be completed; when it is due to open; the amount it is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Metro West project, which is contained in the Transport 21 strategy to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area.

The emerging preferred route for Metro West was announced by the RPA in July 2007 following an extensive consultation process on route options which included the public, residents, property owners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

A further round of consultation is now underway to provide greater definition to the route. The current phase of the consultation process will conclude in the coming weeks and the RPA will then proceed with the preparation of a Railway Order application which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2009.

I am not in a position to publish the estimated capital cost of the Metro West project in advance of the completion of the public procurement process. 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.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the Government's commitment to fund the upgrade of the Maynooth rail line to a fully electrified, DART standard, line; when this upgrade is due to commence; when this project is due to be completed; the amount it is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26288/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for the electrification of the Maynooth, Kildare and Northern lines in the context of the DART Interconnector project. The detailed planning and design of the project is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand that Iarnród Éireann intend to undertake the electrification project on a phased basis commencing with the Maynooth and Northern lines over the period 2009-2012. When completed the Maynooth line will become an integral part of the DART network. The position regarding costs is that it is Departmental policy not to disclose costs in advance of the tendering process being completed.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Transport the changes in the prioritisation of the metro west, metro north or Maynooth rail line upgrade within the national development plan framework in view of the shortfall in Exchequer income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26289/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There has been no change in the prioritisation of Metro North, Metro West and the Maynooth line upgrade.