Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the recent press statement by Irish Rail, which was made without any contact with his Department, that there would be a three year delay in the programme agreed by him to build the Dart underground interconnector; the discussion he has had with Irish Rail on this matter; if the interconnector will now be delayed by the three years, if this decision has implications for metro north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19469/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory responsibility for securing the delivery of public transport infrastructure projects, such as the DART Underground and Metro North, is now a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), pursuant to section 11 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The Dart Underground and Metro North continue to be the Government's top public transport investment priorities.

I understand the changes to the timetable for DART Underground mentioned by the Deputy relate to the finishing date for the project which will be later than anticipated as CIE have now been informed that the construction phase will take two years longer than originally estimated.

A second key consideration was that, based on experience with Metro North, it may take longer to complete the planning and statutory approval process.

In the light of these developments, my officials have asked the NTA for a full update on the project.

The Government remains committed to the earliest possible start up date and the speediest possible delivery of this project and will continue to pursue all available opportunities to shorten the delivery timescale. The most accurate forecast for a completion date is five and a half years from the commencement of construction.

The longer construction period for DART Underground has no implications for Metro North. The oral hearing before An Bord Pleanala on the railway order application for Metro North concluded in March this year. A decision on the application is anticipated over the Summer. In addition, two PPP consortia have been shortlisted under the PPP procurement process. The next phase of procurement must await the outcome of the statutory approval process.

The European Investment Bank announced its approval to provide a loan of up to €500 million for Metro North. This decision is an important signal of confidence in this priority public transport project for Dublin.