Ivor Callely
Question:81 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress regarding the provision of a metro system for the Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24424/01]
Written Answers. - Light Rail Project.
In July 2000, the Government approved, in principle, the development of the metro system for Dublin on a public-private partnership – PPP – basis. Immediately following this decision, I asked the light rail project office – LRPO – of CIE to commence the necessary preparatory work and report progress to me on a regular basis.
Since then, the LRPO has undertaken a preliminary public consultation exercise in relation to development of the system. Studies are also taking place at present into possible route alignments and traffic modelling so that clarity can be provided to the private sector when procurement commences. These studies will be completed in the coming weeks.
In addition, a market consultation exercise, conducted by my Department, invited interested parties to comment on proposals for the development of the metro. A significant level of response was received from major companies both in Ireland and across the world. An analysis of the responses has taken place and this will assist with the preparation of procurement documentation.
To ensure that the delivery of the metro has the necessary focus, I propose to establish a statutory, independent, commercial, State body – the Railway Procurement Agency – which will be given responsibility for procuring the new system. The Bill providing for the establishment of the agency has passed all stages in the Seanad and will be introduced in the Dáil in the near future. In the meantime, in order to allow the preparatory work to continue, I have appointed an interim Railway Procurement Agency to take a preliminary position on the procurement process pending enactment of the Bill.
I will be bringing specific proposals on the metro development to Government in the coming weeks, with a view to commencing the procurement process before the end of the year.
Ivor Callely
Question:82 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if development of Luas is on schedule; the routes that are due to commence in 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24425/01]
Work on the construction of the Luas system is continuing with the line from Tallaght to Connolly Station on target for completion in October 2003 and the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line due for completion in December 2003. Passenger services on both lines will commence shortly after construction has been completed. Most of the enabling contracts on the lines have been awarded and some have already been completed. The main construction contract, involving track laying and cabling, was signed recently and work has begun.
The construction of the depot at Red Cow was completed in July last and is being fitted-out at present while construction of the Sandyford depot will commence in the next few weeks. The first tram will arrive in Dublin before the end of this month and the remainder of the 40 trams ordered will be delivered at the rate of two per month thereafter. The competition for the selection of the operator of the system is progressing and the preferred candidate is likely to be selected by the end of this year.
Question No. 83 answered with Question No. 30.