asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the findings in the Voorhees Report that a system of busways and diesel trains would carry almost the same number of passengers at less than half the cost of the rapid rail option in the Dublin area, he will reexamine the decision to electrify the Howth-Bray railway line at a cost of £46 million.

In May 1979 the Government approved of the electrification of the Dublin suburban rail service from Howth to Bray at an estimated cost of £46 million at 1979 prices. In arriving at this decision the Government considered alternative arrangements for the improvement of the existing service, using diesel operation, but decided that electrification was the preferable option. The Howth—Bray project was considered on its own merits and does not entail a commitment to a rapid transit system for Dublin. It was of course recognised that electrification of this line would enable it to be linked with other parts of a rapid transit system in the event of such a system being implemented. There is no question of the Government reexamining the decision, which is now in the course of being implemented.

In view of the report of the Transport Consultative Commission which cast doubts on the viability of the project have the Government and the Minister's Department had second thoughts on this matter?

There is no question of the Government having second thoughts on the project. I would inform the Deputy that in the analysis of the Howth-Bray electrification option as against the diesel-operated option there is a very marginal cost difference. That marginal cost difference, in my view and in the view of the Government, is far outweighed by the benefits of electrification.

The Minister told the House a moment ago there was no question of this position being reconsidered; not only that but he said it was now in process of being implemented. I would be very interested to hear from the Minister how far this process of implementation has gone. For example, has the project of electrifying this line been put out to tender yet?

The project is being implemented and there is no question of its being re-examined. In the capital allocation for CIE this year there is a provision of £10 million for the electrification of this line. The scheme is going ahead at full speed.

I am struck by the Minister's use of the word "implemented". It is like his promise of about 98 per cent of telephone connections within six weeks. How far has the implementation gone? Have tenders been invited yet for the contract of electrifying that line?

The Deputy might put down a separate question on that.

It is a separate question and bears no relationship to the reference about 98 per cent of telephones being connected within six weeks. That promise was never made by me.

The Minister is a glitter bird. He likes to give the good news first. What does the Minister mean by "implementation"? It was he who used that word, not Deputy Deasy or myself. What does he understand by implementation of the Howth-Bray scheme? How far has it got? Have tenders been invited; yes or no?

That is a separate question. Tenders have been invited for certain sections of it.

Tenders have been invited?

That is opening up a new field.

That is a separate question. If Deputy wants to put down a separate question I will be delighted to answer it.

The Minister himself invited this by saying that it was being implemented. Did I hear the Minister correctly: did he say that tenders have been invited; is that what the Minister said?

For certain sections.

That is opening up a new field.