Speech by An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., at signing of contracts and start of construction of Luas Citywest Extension

 

Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., to mark the signing of contracts and start of construction of new Luas extension to Citywest/Saggart on Monday, 9th February, 2009 at 2.15pm


Tá an áthas orm bheith anseo i dTamhlacht inniu chun tús a chur leis an obair ar an síneadh Luas nua seo. Is cloch mhíle eile í seo i bhfeidhmiú ár gclár infheistíochta Iompar 21. Guím gach rath ar ch’uile duine atá páirteach sa togra tábhachtach nua.

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today to mark the signing of the contracts and start of construction of the new Luas Red line Extension to Citywest and Saggart.

Dublin ’s first two Luas lines have proved to be a tremendous success. Since they opened in 2004, passenger trips on Luas have grown by 23% to over 27 million last year. Almost 30 million passenger journeys are made per annum on the service. Two other extensions are under construction at present. At the other end of the Red Line, the 1.5km extension to the Docklands is well advanced and will be completed by year-end. And the extension of the Green Line to Cherrywood remains on schedule for completion by end 2010.

This new extension to Citywest and Saggart will give a new public transport option to this part of South West Dublin. Improved public transport to communities in Fettercairn and Cheeverstown will also support social inclusion.

Investment in Infrastructure

This Government is committed to continued investment in our critical infrastructure in spite of the difficult economic outlook. Cutting capital investment would be a much ‘easier’ step for Government but we will keep investing in order to sustain jobs and economic activity.

Ireland has one of the biggest capital investment programmes in Europe. NDP Exchequer capital allocations in 2009 will be over 5% of GNP. Given the severe budgetary constraints which do exist at present, this represents a substantial economic stimulus and will support employment, economic activity and help maintain the capacity of the construction sector.

While last week's announcement did include a cut in capital investment to the order of €300m, this will be achieved through lower project costs which will now be achieved. We envisage no change in the output achieved for our investment. The fall in construction prices will help to maximise the returns on capital investment and ensure much better value for money.

Today’s Announcement

Today’s event is being held to mark the contract award to allow the commencement of construction on this 4.2km Luas spur line to Citywest. It is expected that construction will be completed by end 2010 and that passenger services will commence early in 2011.

This new Luas line is being developed in a partnership between the public and private sectors. It is an example of effective cooperation to provide public infrastructure and develop land in a sustainable manner. This type of partnership between the public and private sectors, which brings real gains to the community, is very welcome.

Since its establishment, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has worked closely with local authorities to integrate transport and land use policies.

By working together in this way we can ensure that both the State and the private investor benefit. The State can ensure that land is developed at densities that are appropriate and investors are assured of developments which are well served by public transport. By adopting this collaborative approach, developments are made more attractive and sustainable in the long term.

Under the innovative approach developed for this project, a large proportion of the civil and track works, the provision of all necessary lands, a 300 space Park and Ride and a monetary contribution are being delivered by the private sector partners, Citywest Luas Ltd. The RPA is providing the remainder of the infrastructure, including rolling stock, and is committing to a regular Luas service to new stops at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart.

The new line will deliver quality public transport services to established business and residential communities such as Cairnwood, Ambervale, Belgard Green, Fettercairn, Kilmartin, Brookview and Ardmore and facilitate the rapidly developing Citywest business and residential district. I am confident that this new line will act as a catalyst for further development in the years to come.

Before closing, I would like to say that I am most impressed by the venue for this event, RUA RED, the new South Dublin County Council Arts Centre. This Centre, which was officially opened last week, can truly be described as a cutting edge resource for arts at all levels. I have no doubt that it will give a major stimulus to the cultural life of our capital city and the country as a whole. I would like to take the opportunity today to encourage people to make full use of it and to wish everyone associated with it the very best.

In conclusion, I am delighted to be here with you all today to witness the signing of contracts which mark the start of construction of the new extension. Today marks another milestone in the implementation of our major Transport 21 investment programme. I wish all the parties involved every success with this important new project.

Thank you very much.

ENDS.