CIE warns Luas plan may be abandoned

CIE has warned there was "a real risk" that its planned £220 million Dublin light rail system, Luas, may be abandoned. The warning came yesterday as the public inquiry into the plan was adjourned for at least six months, pending the completion of the latest review ordered by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke.

Mr Maurice Gaffney SC, representing CIE, said that were the consultants to find "novel" and "imaginative" reasons to run Luas underground it may lead to a fundamental reappraisal of the entire project. He said the company's application might be withdrawn or substituted with another plan.

In a change from its position at a previous hearing, CIE also admitted that the inspector, Judge Sean O'Leary, could not "safely proceed" with the inquiry without the completed study.

Judge O'Leary made his decision to adjourn after examining the terms of reference of the review. He concluded: "The scope and depth of this study is such that it will greatly impact on the inquiry's deliberations."

The study will be based on a comparative evaluation of two broad options: the on-street Tallaght/city centre/Dundrum route proposed by CIE in its formal application; and the same route with an underground section in the city centre.

The inspector considered the option of dividing the inquiry into two sections, one dealing with the route outside the canal ring, the other dealing with the city centre section. But he said the recommendations of the review could have a knock-on effect on submissions for the suburban route. He said a split would also lead to "unfortunate cost implications for those who may wish to be represented at both inquiries".

Earlier, Judge O'Leary read into the record a letter from the Department of Public Enterprise outlining the time frame of the study, tendering for which closed last week.

Mr Pat Mangan, assistant secretary at the Department, said the study was likely to take six months.

A number of other submissions were made appealing for the inquiry to continue without adjournment.

In a statement, the Dublin City Centre Business Association said: "a further deferment might result in the entire abandonment of the light rail project".

Ms Jeanne Meldon, planning co-ordinator at An Taisce, said she was very concerned that any further delay would put into doubt EU funding for the project.

Ms Siobhan Flocktom, a barrister representing Cluas, the campaign to reinstate the original Luas route through Inchicore and Kilmainham, said the awaited study would not make any significant difference to the inquiry. "Having an inquiry dealing with some issues is better than no inquiry at all," she said.

Judge O'Leary said the question of funding was not within his remit. He concluded with "considerable regret" that an adjournment was inevitable.