I am delighted to join you today to discuss the issues we work on daily, key matters that affect you, your members and the people of Dublin. 

The Greater Dublin Area now has a population of 1.6 million and this is forecast to continue to grow.  More people means more transport demands and needs.  Dublin poses unique challenges to putting in place a 21st century transport network.  Transport 21 delivers for Dublin.  It is ambitious and, crucially, it is integrated. 

If I could take this opportunity to update you on where we have progress in just a few short months. 
 
Luas

In 2005 the Luas network carried over 22 million passengers.  Its success is reflected in the fact not only that we have got people out of cars, but also in the fact that the revenue generated each day in fares is now covering Luas operating costs.

Transport 21 provides for seven new major Luas projects together with Metro North and Metro West. These projects, when completed, will provide capacity for an additional 80 million passengers per annum on the Luas/Metro networks.

We have submitted applications for Railway Orders for Luas extensions from Sandyford to Cherrywood and from Connolly Station to The Point in November and December last year.  An inspector to conduct Public Inquiries regarding both of these applications has been appointed.

The Inquiry into the application for the Cherrywood extension concluded recently and I look forward to receiving the Inspector's report on the findings for consideration.

The Luas extension to the Point will integrate with Iarnród Éireann's new rail station at Spencer Dock.  And the new Docklands offers major new benefits.  20,000 new rail passengers a day, 10,000 cars a day removed from the streets, a train to Maynooth every 15 minutes, integration with Luas to Tallaght/Citywest and the triggering new rail services to Dunboyne.  These are among the benefits of the new Docklands Rail Station and this is why it is a key part of the Transport 21 plan.

We have also launched a public consultation on linking the two Luas lines in the City Centre. This public consultation has been wide-ranging. The RPA has engaged with a wide range of interests including the Dublin City Business Association, which I know is a strong supporter of the link. Over 200 submissions were received on the various route options and discussions are well advanced. 
The RPA is engaged in dialogue with Dublin Bus, the City Council and the DTO in relation to the implications for other road users, including buses and I hope to see matters progressed further shortly.

The linking of the two lines will be further enhanced by an extension of the line from O'Connell Street to Liffey Junction via Grangegorman and Broadstone.  

We are also well advanced with plans for a Luas spur line to Citywest, which will serve Fettercairn, Cheeverstown and Citywest Campus. Developer contributions will form a vital part of funding for this project. I launched the public consultation process for this project last month.

The Government also recently gave funding approval to enhance capacity on the Tallaght/Connolly line.  This will involve increasing the length of the 30metre trams to 40metres and these longer trams will start coming on line in 2007, providing a 40% increase in capacity.

Metro North

Transport 21 includes a Metro line (Metro North) from St. Stephen's Green via Dublin Airport to the north of Swords, to be completed in 2012.

It will integrate with Metro West at Ballymun, the Maynooth rail line, the Tallaght Luas line and with the Sandyford Luas and the DART at St. Stephens Green.

Four weeks ago, I launched the public consultation process for Metro North.  There are three potential corridor routes from the city centre, via Dublin airport to Swords, which have been investigated by the RPA in the development of the project.  Evaluation of the three route options to date indicates that the central route is strongest from a number of points of view including construction feasibility, fulfilling transportation needs and capital cost. 

Metro will be modern, attractive and accessible. Taking the central route option as an example, Metro North would carry 30m passengers a year with a train every 4 minutes, increasing to 90 seconds as demand builds.  People will get from the St. Stephen's Green to Swords in 26 minutes and from St. Stephen's Green to Dublin Airport in 17 minutes - less than half the time of the same journey at present.

Options for Metro North are currently on public display with a view to informing the preferred Metro route during the year. Starting today, and over the coming fortnight, the RPA is hosting six 'Open Days' at various venues across North County Dublin and in the City Centre.

Metro West

Transport 21 includes an orbital line, Metro West, linking Tallaght with Ballymun and serving Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown.

Metro West, when completed will provide a high quality public transport alternative to the M50 for the increasing number of people travelling along the corridor between Tallaght and the Airport.
The proposed route for the Metro West line will connect with the Luas Red Line at Tallaght, the Kildare and Maynooth suburban rail lines, the new Lucan Luas line and with Metro North at Ballymun.  The line is scheduled for completion on a phased basis between 2010 and 2014, starting from Tallaght. 

Interconnector

The rail Interconnector tunnel will be built. It will link the southwestern suburban line out of Heuston with the northern line. It will serve the Docklands, Pearse Station and St. Stephen's Green. This project will relieve a severe bottleneck in the city centre rail network and permit a major expansion of the suburban rail service.  This is a major project, major in construction and equally major in terms of need. 

Buses

I have consistently said, and will continue to say that the bus plays a crucial role in the capital's public transport system.  It is not a question of bus or rail, but of using both modes to effectively complement each other to maximise the passenger carrying capacity and availability of public transport.  Buses will, in particular, be used to meet the immediate and short-term requirement for additional public transport in Dublin whilst other infrastructure is being put in place.

We plan to increase total bus capacity over the period of Transport 21, with over 80,000 extra bus passenger journeys each day.  The Quality Bus Network will be at least doubled over the period to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of the bus service.

It is in this context, I have now received the Dublin Bus review of their network.  This now enables me to bring to Cabinet in the coming weeks a comprehensive proposal for bus investment, including how the bus market itself will prosper and grow. 

Integration

Crucially, and at the heart of Transport 21, is integration.  An important feature of our overall rail development plans is the development of an integrated network which will enable passengers to transfer between suburban rail, METRO and LUAS at a number of interchange stations.  This means the trip to work or indeed from any part of the country to or from Dublin can be made with a minimum of one transfer. 

And the heart of Transport 21 will be seen just outside from where I speak to you today.  St Stephen's Green will be a key interchange point enabling transfer between LUAS, METRO and suburban rail.  This is what passengers and businesses need and want - convenient transport getting them where they want to go at minimum fuss in minimum time.

Conclusion

Taken together, our plans will allow the number of public transport passengers in Dublin to increase to 375 million per annum from the current level of 200 million. 
They will transform the public transport offering, give our capital city a world class 21st century integrated network and will present all commuters with a real high-quality travel choice.