Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of money that has been spent on the metro west project to date; the position regarding the metro west project, if the metro north project is delayed or cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is, in line with Transport 21, continuing with planning and design to facilitate the preparation of an application for a railway order to An Bórd Pleanála for the Metro West project. Up to the end of February, the RPA has spent €5.8m to progress planning and design. The start and completion dates for this project will be determined by the outcome of the statutory approval and procurement processes, decisions on Metro North, and the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate.

Good progress continues to be made on the Metro North Project. The first round of tenders for the Public Private Partnership contract were submitted on 27th February last and these tenders are now being evaluated by the RPA. The Oral Hearing before An Bórd Pleanála on the railway order application for Metro North commenced yesterday and the Board has indicated its anticipated decision date on this application to be before the 4th of September this year. In these circumstances it is most unlikely that enabling works will commence in the current year. However, both the RPA and my Department will keep the matter under review. In accordance with the requirements of the Government decision on Transport 21, Metro North will be submitted to Government for a final decision on the project on the completion of the tender process.