Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding plans for a comprehensive traffic management plan and proposals to minimise disruption for residents and businesses in Dublin in view of the upcoming construction works that will occur for metro north, the red and green line Luas link-up and the Dublin rail interconnector; when he last met all of the relevant transport companies, agencies and business and residential stakeholders; when the next meeting on this matter will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29073/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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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 is overseeing the preparation of a traffic management plan for the Transport 21 construction phase, focussed particularly on the city centre. This plan will take account of other construction activity by local authorities, public bodies and private developers. The Communications Group is preparing 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 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 intended this to be the first in a regular series of meetings over the coming years to review progress, and the second such meeting has been arranged for later this month.