Written answers

Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Department of Transport

Light Rail Project

10:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide a full briefing on the operation of the PPP for metro north; the amount of public and private money that will be spent on metro north each year for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39856/08]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The RPA continues to make good progress on the PPP tender process for Metro North. The initial phase of the PPP public procurement process was conducted in 2007 resulting in the formation of four pre-qualified consortia for the purpose of tendering for the project. Tender documentation was formally issued to the four pre-qualified consortia on 12th May 2008. Since then the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has held a number of meetings with the consortia. Following on from a request from some of the consortia, the RPA recently agreed to extend the closing date for submission of tenders by two months. Receipt of tenders is now required by 6 February 2009.

In addition, good progress is being made in the planning process. The RPA placed copies of the Railway Order application on display on 17 September in accordance with the 6 week statutory public notice requirement pursuant to section 37 of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001.

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 and a capital contribution during construction. In accordance with the requirements of the Government decision on the Transport 21 Investment Framework, Metro North will be submitted to Government for a final decision on the project on the completion of the tender process.

I am not in a position to give any information in relation to the budget for 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.

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