Minister initiates consultations on Luas for northside

Detailed consultations with interested parties and the public on the options for a Luas light rail line serving the northside of Dublin were initiated yesterday by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke.

She also has invited Judge Sean O'Leary to preside over the public inquiry into CIE's plans for a Luas line linking Sandyford with St Stephen's Green, citing the "splendid job" he had done at the recent inquiry into the Tallaght-Middle Abbey Street line.

In addition, she announced that Andersen Consulting had been appointed to investigate the prospects of financing the expanded Luas system - estimated to cost "£400 million-plus" - via a public-private partnership, involving private-sector funding.

The proposed northside line would run to Ballymun and ultimately Dublin Airport. An alternative plan for a heavy rail express line linking the airport with the Docklands area was made earlier this week by the National Conference Centre developers.

CIE's light rail project team has identified six potential route options for the northside route, serving such areas as Cabra and Finglas via the former Broadstone railway line or running it via Drumcondra and Ballymun to the airport.

The Government's revised plan for Luas, announced last May, includes a controversial underground section in the city centre linking the Sandyford line with the northside line via a 2.5 km tunnel between St Stephen's Green and Broadstone.

If Broadstone became the springboard for the northside line, residents of Drumcondra - in the Taoiseach's constituency - would be likely to lose out because the line would run further west, benefiting Cabra and Finglas.

The Minister said the start of the public consultation process for the northside line indicated the determination of the Government to proceed with the expanded Luas system for Dublin announced last May. "It is going ahead very strongly," she said.

"I am anxious that the widest possible consultation process for the northside line should take place," Ms O'Rourke said, adding that the route options suggested by CIE were merely indicative as their feasibility and costing had yet to be fully investigated.

"CIE will listen carefully to any concerns or views expressed in relation to this proposal. The public consultation will be both thorough and meaningful," she said. It is expected that it will continue for "a number of months" before any final decisions are made.

The Minister recalled that last May's Government decision included an extension of the Tallaght line to Connolly Station and, ultimately, the Docklands, as well as a line from Sandyford to Ballymun and Dublin Airport, with an underground section in the city centre.

She said the Luas project was still within the indicative timetable issued in May. The public inquiry into the Tallaght-city centre section has been completed and she expected Judge O'Leary's report soon after Christmas.

In the meantime, CIE has made a fresh application for a Light Railway Order for the SandyfordSt Stephen's Green section and a public inquiry on this element of the overall scheme is likely to take place "later next year", according to the Minister.

She also referred to the recent appointment of a Light Rail Advisory/Action Group, under the chairmanship of Mr Padraic White, "to ensure there is no slippage in the introduction of the expanded Luas network".

Because it was "the season of good will" Ms O'Rourke declined to comment on a charge by Earthwatch that she had become the "Minister for Gridlock".