Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding contingency plans for the upcoming big dig for the major infrastructural works necessary for Metro North, the Dublin rail interconnector and the LUAS link-up including all relevant stakeholders, residents, community and local business groups; when the public information campaign will begin to inform the general public of what to expect with the big dig infrastructural works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21268/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I have previously advised the House that traffic management in Dublin City centre, including public information campaigns relating to traffic management, is a matter for Dublin City Council.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Dublin City Manager chairs the Dublin Transport 21 Implementation Group, which coordinates and oversees the Transport 21 investment programme in Dublin, pending the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority.

Two sub-groups have been established:

• The Contingency Planning Group, which is chaired by an official from Dublin City Council, deals with the traffic management strategy for the Transport 21 construction phase, focused particularly on the city centre. I understand that the Contingency Planning Sub-Group meet monthly. Contingency planning will be an ongoing process during project construction. The contingency Planning Group has developed an initial 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. This will be kept under regular review by the Transport 21 Implementation Group.

• The Communications Group, which has prepared a co-ordinated communications strategy for the construction period of major Transport 21 projects, such as Metro North and the Interconnector.

I last met the Stakeholders Group regarding the major Transport 21 infrastructural works in Dublin on 11 May 2009 at which the co-ordinated communications plan for the construction period of the major Transport 21 projects such as Metro North and the DART Underground was presented. A key theme of communications during construction works is "Dublin is open for business".

The communications campaign will be rolled out in advance of works on Metro North. The commencement of works is subject to the grant of an enforceable railway order by An Bord Pleanála.