Madam, - Your edition of April 22nd repeats part of a report of April 15th attributing to me the view that "with foresight" it would not have been necessary to acquire and demolish Connolly Ramp in the context of a hypothetical Tallaght to Docklands scheme, taken in its entirety.
I did not express this view to the Irish Times journalist at a press conference on April 14th, as I explained to him in a telephone conversation the following day. My position was that removal of the ramp to construct a Luas stop and interchange with other public transport at Connolly is being carried out pursuant to Light Rail Orders, which authorised construction of the Tallaght to Connolly line. These light rail orders were issued following public inquiries that considered all aspects of the project.
The Irish Independent of April 15th quoted me accurately as saying that any question of keeping the ramp is academic and would not make any sense at this stage.
The Railway Procurement Agency is now developing proposals to extend the Tallaght-Connolly line to the Dublin Docklands as far as the Point Depot. Proposals on the appropriate route and the location of stops will be based on an evaluation of all aspects of the project, including the results of public consultation, which was launched last week. - Yours, etc.,
FRANK ALLEN,
Chief Executive,
Railway Procurement Agency,
Parkgate Street,
Dublin 8.