Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the most recent meeting of the group preparing contingency plans for the upcoming big dig for the major infrastructural works necessary for Metro North, Dublin rail interconnector and the LUAS link-up including all relevant stakeholders, residents', community and local business groups; the regularity with which the Dublin City Manager has briefed him on the upcoming big dig; the progress made on preparations for the big dig; when contingency measures will commence; when he will bring the public information campaign to inform the general public of what to expect with the big dig infrastructural works and in particular when the bus gate at College Green, Dublin will commence; the way he envisages it will operate for pedestrians and cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5807/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As I have indicated previously, 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 is represented on both.

The Contingency Planning Group, which is chaired by an official from Dublin City Council, is overseeing the preparation of a traffic management strategy for the Transport 21 construction phase, focused particularly on the city centre. This strategy 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".

I understand that the Contingency Planning Sub-Group meet monthly. Significant progress has been made in the preparation of a contingency plan, which includes traffic measures such as the provision of Park and Ride Sites, enhanced public transport services, Real Time Information installations for bus stops, dedicated breakdown towing services, a bus gate at College Green and improved traffic light control at specific junctions. In addition, a detailed Scheme Traffic Management Plan is currently being finalised by the RPA in conjunction with Dublin City Council. This will be finalised in time for the Public Inquiry on Metro North and will become a public document at that time. It will, amongst other things, address the needs and concerns of both pedestrians and cyclists, with particular emphasis on maintaining their safety and service amenity levels (such as the avoidance of excessive crowding on pedestrian routes) throughout the duration of construction works.

I hold regular quarterly meetings 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 of Transport 21 projects. I last met with the Dublin City Centre Stakeholders Group on 29 September 2008. The next meeting of the Group is scheduled to take place in the first week of March, 2009.

In addition, earlier this month, I met with the Dublin City Manager to discuss progress on preparatory work for Transport 21 projects in the city centre.

It is planned that contingency measures will commence later this year. The College Green Bus Gate is planned to come into operation during the summer and Dublin City Council will publish details on its operation in the coming weeks.

An extensive public information and awareness campaign will commence following the conclusion of the Metro North Public Inquiry by An Bord Pleanála, which is scheduled to commence on 2 March 2009.