A "comprehensive" underground rail system will be provided throughout Dublin city in addition to the planned Luas light rail projects for Tallaght and Sandyford, the Minister for Public Enterprise has confirmed.
Ms O'Rourke said that since the previous Government proposals for Luas, information on traffic needs and Dublin Transport Office studies have compelled us to provide a service with a greater capacity". She did not know what the system would be, "but it will be underground".
The Minister was responding to the Opposition, who queried media reports about metro lines. Mr Ivan Yates (FG) demanded clarification about the reports. He said the last government decided to implement the Luas project at a cost of £220 million.
"In May 1998, this was changed to an option costing more than £400 million. In his letter of resignation, Mr (Brian) Joyce, (chairman of CIE), said Luas will cost £1 billion," Mr Yates said. "Now we hear that Luas will not be implemented by CIE but under the PPF (Programme for Prosperity and Fairness). I read then that there are plans to axe Luas for a radical £4 billion metro line."
Ms O'Rourke pointed out that 12 months ago it was announced the Luas lines would be a public-private partnership, open to competitive tendering. The Government approved a budget estimate of £185 million for the Tallaght to Abbey Street line, and a further £24 million in principle for its extension to Connolly station.
"The cost will be greater for an enhanced proposal which was not envisaged by the previous government," she said. "I do not blame the Opposition for approaching the matter for the former Luas line with paucity."
The Minister added, however, that traffic needs compelled the provision of a service with greater capacity, and so there would be a more comprehensive underground service throughout the city. Mr Yates said the Minister was coming forward "with a new blueprint each month while all the past ones have not been implemented".