Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Transport when a commencement date will be announced for Metro West works. [35901/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has agreed the final route of Metro West; and the estimated cost associated with preparatory works to date on Metro West. [35902/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Transport the projected costs of the Metro West; and the projected end date. [35903/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 to 321, inclusive, together.

The emerging preferred route for Metro West was announced by the RPA in July 2007. The selected route alignment will connect Tallaght, Clondalkin, Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown with Metro North at Metro Park, close to Dublin Airport. It will also provide integration with the Luas Red Line at Tallaght, the Kildare and Maynooth suburban rail lines and the new Lucan Luas line to be delivered under Transport 21.

A further round of consultation is now underway to provide greater definition to certain elements of the route after which the RPA will proceed with the preparation of a Railway Order application. The RPA has spent €3.46 million to the end of September on consultation, planning and design for Metro West.

The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects, such as Metro West, which have not yet commenced will be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased capacity will be a key priority in determining public transport investment priorities in the period ahead.

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.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received the report of the Railway Procurement Agency in relation to the LUAS line to Lucan from the city centre; and the projected start date, the projected costs and the costs to date associated with the project. [35904/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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On the 10th October 2008, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) published the emerging preferred route corridor for the Luas line to Lucan (Line F) following extensive public consultation.

Having selected the route corridor, the RPA is now undertaking the next phase of consultation with key stakeholders which will feed into the detailed design of the line. Following completion of this work the RPA will submit a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála in respect of this line. The RPA is not required to report to me in relation to the selection of preferred routes.

I am not in a position to give any information in relation to the budget for Luas Line F project in advance of the completion of the public procurement process. It is intended to procure the project mainly through a Public Private Partnership. 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 start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects, such as the Luas to Lucan, which have not yet commenced will be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased capacity will be a key priority in determining public transport investment priorities in the period ahead.