146 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will extend the Light Rail Project in Tallaght, Dublin 24, to encompass as many housing estates as possible in order to improve access to this valuable transport asset thus ensuring maximum usage to the city centre by the residents and communities in the general Tallaght area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11815/96]

Final decisions on the precise routes of planned light rail links will not be taken until the public consultation programme now under way is completed, a public inquiry has been held and EU approval procedures have been completed.

The public consultation programme being undertaken by CIE involves an extensive series of public meetings, exhibitions, surveys and bilateral discussions with interested parties. Its purpose is to explain the concept of light rail, to outline specific light rail proposals, to listen carefully to any concerns expressed in relation to those proposals, and to respond to those concerns, where possible. Organisations and individuals can avail of the public consultation process to raise the issue of the proposed routes.