THE Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Dukes, said there would be plenty of opportunity for airing objections to the Luas light rail proposal, "but I believe that the time is now ripe to move on to the decision making phase".
The CIE project team should be given the time and space to complete its consideration of the issues raised during the consultation and decide on the detailed shape of its formal application for a light railway order.
Before making a decision on CIE's application, he would be obliged to take account of the inspector's report on the public inquiry and any written submissions received.
The Fianna Fail spokesman on transport, Mr Seamus Brennan, described Mr Dukes's statement as a welcome U turn". He urged the Minister to re examine the underground option for the city centre part of the project, which his predecessor had ruled out.
Mr Dukes replied: "I have no proposal to commission any new study.