Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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142.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on Luas Green Line Capacity enhancement as part of the greater Dublin area capital programme, including detail on the anticipated start date for construction; to outline the projected cost allocated within expenditure projection contained in the stability programme update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25173/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the completed Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement project.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to this project. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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143.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on Luas Finglas as part of the greater Dublin area capital programme, including detail on the anticipated start date for construction; to outline the projected cost allocated within expenditure projection contained in the stability programme update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25174/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in January 2023, following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.

Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030 to align with the National Development Plan, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042. The development of a Luas line serving Finglas is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals, for development and delivery within the 2031-2036 timeframe, as part of a number of proposed Luas network extensions for the period up to 2042.

The preliminary business case for the Luas Finglas project has been submitted to my Department by the NTA and will soon be brought to Government for its consent in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. This will enable the project to enter the statutory planning process through the submission of a Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála. The precise start date for construction of the Luas Finglas project will depend on a number of factors, including a decision in relation to the planning application.

The final budget for the project will not be set until after the planning process and completion of tendering and procurement, with the Government having the final decision about whether to proceed to construction. Officials in my Department engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to the budget and progress of all major projects, including the Luas Finglas project.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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144.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative or regulatory provisions governing taxi vehicles driving in bus lanes. [25175/24]