Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the progress of Ireland's application for European Investment Bank loan funding for the LUAS cross city project; if he has identified other infrastructure projects which he is considering making an application for funding to the EIB; if he will list such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/13]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the possibility of borrowing funds from the European Investment Bank to allow for the progression of the Metro North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22830/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 36 together.

Following agreement with the Department of Finance, which takes the lead role on EIB matters, engagement has commenced with the EIB regarding a loan for Luas Cross City. The National Transport Authority, which is the sanctioning authority for the project, is taking the lead role in providing the detailed information and data required by the EIB. When I met senior officials from the European Investment Bank recently, I took the opportunity to outline my Department's priorities for investment in Transport Infrastructure in the medium to long term. We discussed the application for Luas Cross City and a presentation on the project was made to the visitors.  The  EIB officials are very supportive of the Luas link. I expect the application to have a positive outcome. Given the constraints in Exchequer funding, I do not have any other major public transport projects I can submit for EIB funding.  The EIB has expressed interest in the DART Underground but due to the cost of this project it can only proceed as a PPP project and with a very significant Exchequer contribution. I will review this project in advance of the next capital plan. In relation to roads, the EIB has contributed to the recently agreed PPP for the N11 Arklow - Rathnew and Newlands Cross project.  EIB funding will also be sought for the other three road PPPs announced under the 2012 stimulus package - the N17-N18 Gort to Tuam road, the N25 New Ross bypass and the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy road.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the development of the LUAS cross city including an estimated time of completion, final cost; the measures planned to deal with congestion caused by construction work during the project. [22900/13]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timetable for the completion of the LUAS cross city project; the amount the project will cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22990/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 31 together.

These questions relate to the Cross City Luas project. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the proposed Luas Cross City line. This line is a priority project under the Government's five-year capital plan, which is known as the Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 under the Medium-Term Exchequer Framework.  In November 2012, following consideration by the Government, I asked the NTA and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with the procurement and contractual arrangements so the enabling works for the project would commence by mid-2013 at the latest. I understand that work has already commenced on a building condition survey which will establish a baseline record of the condition of properties along the Luas Cross City line. The procurement process for the advance works, such as Heritage Works, Cellars Investigation and Utility Diversions, is also well advanced. The award of Heritage and Cellars Investigation contracts is imminent, with work targeted to begin in June 2013. The tender documents for the Utility Diversions Contracts were also issued recently. These works are due to start in September or October 2013.

A Traffic Forum has been established for the project comprising representatives of the RPA, the NTA, An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council and Dublin Bus. The primary role of the Traffic Forum is to develop traffic management arrangements aimed at minimising the construction impacts of the new Luas line on all road users. I understand that traffic management plans for the various works elements are progressing well and are being considered at the Traffic Forum meetings. There will also be ongoing local liaison arrangements as the project proceeds. I have established a Project Group to address at a strategic level issues which arise during delivery of the project.  The group, which I chair and has met on two occasions, and will enable me to liaise directly with key stakeholders including business representatives and will ensure I am informed of any significant traffic management issues affecting the delivery of the project. A dedicated Luas Cross City website will be launched shortly. The estimated cost of the project is €368 million, which includes almost €20 million that has been spent to date. Funding has been included in my Department's capital allocation to 2016 to cover the cost of commencing the main construction works in 2015 and for pre-construction enabling works in 2013 and 2014.  The project is scheduled for completion in late 2017.