Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Transport the contacts that he has had with the Department of Finance regarding the Metro North project; when he expects a decision on commitment to the Metro North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39637/09]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Metro North; when a decision will be made between the two final bidders; the estimate of funding that will be allocated to Metro North under Budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39545/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Transport if capital funds will be made available in 2010 for the Metro North line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39754/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 33 and 127 together.

An Bórd Pleanála adjourned the Oral Hearing into the Railway Order application for Metro North in April this year, to allow consideration of further information requested from the Railway Procurement Agency. An Bórd Pleanála subsequently wrote to the Agency requesting further additional information in respect of the application. All the additional information has now been supplied and placed on public display. An Bórd Pleanála has, as yet, set no date for the recommencement of the Oral Hearing.

Two consortia have been shortlisted as part of the PPP procurement process. The next phase of procurement must await the outcome of the planning process.

As I have stated on a number of occasions previously, Government will take the final decision on Metro North at the conclusion of the procurement process, namely financial close.

In the meantime, the Railway Procurement Agency is continuing to progress the project in accordance with the Government decision in January last year, which approved the financial framework for the PPP. As is normal practice for large Exchequer supported projects, my Department is in regular contact with the Department of Finance. Decisions on the Exchequer allocation for Metro North in 2010 will be taken as part of the Estimates process for next year currently underway.