THE Dublin light rail project suffered a surprise setback when the Bill to give effect to it was defeated by one vote on its second reading.
Fianna Fail combined with the Progressive Democrats and had the support of three others Mr Trevor Sargent (Green Party), and two independents, Mr Tony Gregory (Dublin Central) and Mr Tom Fox (Longford Roscommon) in defeating the Bill by 62 votes to 61.
The vote was cheered by deputies on the Opposition benches, and described by the Fianna Fail spokesman on transport, Mr Seamus Brennan, as "a victory for common sense". He said the Bill should be withdrawn.
Mr Bobby Molloy (PD) shouted at the Government benches. "So much for jack booting."
The defeat followed weeks of debate in which there was support on all sides for the project but repeated criticism of the failure to extend it to the north city. The system of consultation with businesses and communities affected by the project was also criticised. Mr Brennan called for more extensive consultation than was proposed by the Minister for Transport, Mr Lowry.
Before the vote last night Mr Lowry rejected criticism of the consultative process. The Bill did not seek to dictate the detail of how light rail would be implemented. "That will only be decided, after detailed public consultation and a public inquiry at which all interested parties can have their say."
The consultation programme would not be "a one way process". He had insisted that the CIE project team listen carefully to all concerns and opinions from all interested parties and respond wherever possible.
Issues of contention raised at local meetings were not being ignored by the project team, as had been alleged in the debate. "Options and alternatives to solve difficulties which have been put to the project team by local representatives and others are being considered by project design and engineering experts as a matter of urgency," Mr Lowry said.
Earlier Ms Liz O'Donnell (PD, Dublin South) said she favoured a light rail system but there were serious flaws in the Luas proposal. She called for a major rethink. "It is imperative that we avoid the disastrous experience of Sheffield where a system identical to Luas has flopped badly and failed committed to meet its passenger targets.
The city centre sections of Luas should be run underground and the Tallaght line should be routed "along the bus way reservation through densely populated suburbs such as Kimmage, and not via the Naas Road.
It was essential that the Dundrum line be extended to Sandyford industrial estate. "There is already serious traffic congestion in Dundrum village and this will be exacerbated by locating the Luas terminus adjacent to the village. The present Luas proposal takes no cognisance of the needs of people living north of the Liffey. The north side line must be included in phase one of the project and extended to serve the airport.
Mr Sean Kenny (Lab, Dublin North East) welcomed the proposal but said it was essential that the light rail be extended to Ballymun and the airport. It must be part of an integrated strategy for traffic management, car parking and quality bus corridors.
Mr Alan Shatter (FG, Dublin South) said it was almost inevitable that someone would seek to challenge the project in the courts. The Bill should contain a provision to limit such action, or at least to give any court proceedings priority so that the project would not be held up indefinitely.