Written answers

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

8:00 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of plans to extend the DART line to Drogheda, County Louth; the amount of funds allocated to such a project; the stage planning is at; when he expects such a project to finish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18496/09]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for the completion of the DART Underground project by 2015. Currently, it is anticipated that the existing DART line will be extended (through electrification) as far as Drogheda, the Maynooth line would be fully electrified as far as Maynooth itself and that the Kildare line would be electrified as far as Hazelhatch.

Work is continuing on the preparation of a Railway Order in respect of the tunnel between Inchicore and the Northern Line element of the DART Underground project, with a view to its submission to An Bord Pleanála later this year. Similarly, Railway Orders will be required for the extension of the electrification elements of the DART Underground project. Iarnród Eireann expects to submit a Railway Order in respect of the extension to Drogheda in 2012.

The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects in planning, such as the DART Underground project, will in each case be determined by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the availability of financial resources determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. As I have stated in the past the provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining public transport priorities in the period ahead. In that context, the DART Underground is a particularly important rail investment.

As I am sure you will appreciate, to ensure value for money to the taxpayer, estimated costs are not released in advance of the signing of contracts for projects such as those in the DART Underground programme.

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