To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether it will be possible to continue Luas line B from St Stephen's Green down Dawson Street, College Green and Westmoreland Street to link up with Luas line A running from Tallaght to Connolly Station; the rate of reduction in traffic levels in College Green over the past five years due to the traffic restrictions that have been put in place on traffic coming from George's Street, Dawson Street, Pearse Street and OConnell Street onto the Green; and if such a reduction in traffic in the area will make it easier to run the Luas overground in the city centre.

- John Gormley. (Nominated by: Eamon Ryan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 27th May, 2004.
Ref No:   15944/04     Lottery:   88     Proof:   83

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan)

REPLY

Integration of public transport services in the Greater Dublin Area is being pursued within the broad policy framework established by the Dublin Transportation Offices Platform for Change.  In this regard, the question of a connection between Luas Lines A and B is being considered in the context of proposals for a metro alignment from the city centre to Dublin airport.  I am currently finalising my proposals on the Metro in the context of the wider transport needs of the Greater Dublin Area. In advance of the Government considering these proposals, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matters raised in any more detail.

I expect to bring my proposals to the Government before the Summer.

Local traffic management together with traffic data is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority (Dublin City Council in this case).