Sir, Mr Frank McDonald, the Environment Correspondent of The Irish Times, in an article dated August 16th contended that my comments in relation to the proposed LUAS project amounted to an "extraordinary outburst".
I would wish to counter such contentions by reiterating some reasonable concerns about this proposed new initiative. Firstly, there are no consultation procedures in place in the Government's legislation on the LUAS project which would afford local communities most affected by this initiative an opportunity to liaise with the proponents of the scheme relating to its more contentious aspects.
Secondly, the Irish Government would not release any reports it had commissioned dealing with the costs of the tunnelling of the LUAS project within Dublin city.
Thirdly, if the scheme is constructed in accordance with the plans as set out, Dublin city will be host to two separate rapid rail systems with no interconnection between them. Even mainline rail systems will not be connected to the new LUAS rail line at any point.
Fourthly, due to the lack of consultation to date, people are simply not appraised of the social and economic benefits, if any, that this project will bring to Dublin city as a whole.
Fifthly, in the broader parameters of national transport policies, it is quite shortsighted that there is no immediate plan to build a rail link to Dublin Airport. There is a general consensus that such a link should be built either off the main Dublin to Belfast line, or through another route in the north side of Dublin that is in accordance with the wishes of the residents in the areas most affected.
It would make real economic sense if such a rail line were to be built, at a time when passenger traffic is increasing through Dublin Airport from six millions to eight millions a year. It would be a profitable traffic route which would make Dublin Airport a more competitive airport in the longer run.
These points, which I have raised in my capacity as a member of the European Parliament representing the people of Dublin city and county, are hardly worthy of meriting the status of an "extraordinary outburst". They are in fact real and understandable concerns of many Dublin people. Yours, etc.,
Westbrook Road,
Dundrum,
Dublin 14.