The public inquiry into CIE's plan for a light rail system in Dublin formally opened yesterday but was adjourned 20 minutes later until
September 29th. Judge Sean O'Leary, the presiding inspector, explained that the adjournment was necessary to get an indication of how long it would take to complete the latest review ordered by the
Minister for Transport, Mrs O'Rourke.
This review - pledged in the Fianna Fail manifesto - will examine the feasibility and cost of putting the proposed Luas light rail system underground in the city centre. It is to be carried out by independent consultants who have yet to be appointed.
At yesterday's brief hearing, the inspector said that if it looked as if the review would take "a long time," he would go ahead with the inquiry anyway on September 29th. On the other hand, if it was a short study he would be inclined to wait for it.
He had to bear in mind the interests of property owners affected by CIE's project - particularly those whose homes or business premises are on the line - so that they would not be left in limbo for a lengthy period of "urban planning blight".
Ms Siobhan Flockton, a barrister representing Cluas, the campaign to reinstate the original Luas route through Inchicore and
Kilmainham, complained about the adjournment, saying she was ready to go ahead with the presentation of their case.
Judge O'Leary expressed regret about the delay, but said it was necessary to get some indication of the timescale for the proposed study. When this became available, its findings could then be tested by all the parties represented at the inquiry.
He also made it clear that he would make a decision on September
29th whether to proceed with the inquiry there and then or to adjourn it further, pending receipt of the consultants' report. This would depend on the length of time involved.
In the meantime, he wanted all of the relevant documentation to be available for public inspection. Mr Maurice Gaffney SC, representing
CIE, gave an assurance that this would be done, including a list of
"minor" corrections to the documentation.
Earlier Mr Gavin O'Leary, secretary of the inquiry, read into the record Judge O'Leary's warrant of appointment as inspector by the then Minister for Transport, Mr Alan Dukes, under the Transport
(Dublin Light Rail) Act of 1996.
When the inquiry finally gets under way Judge O'Leary - who is a former Fine Gael Senator from Cork - will be assisted by a technical assessor, Mr Stephen Firth, of the British Railway Inspectorate. It is expected to last for at least one month.
