Amid signs of disagreement in Labour over Government plans for the Luas rail project, a spokesman has confirmed that the party intends to table an amendment to a Fine Gael motion on it tonight. Though supporting the thrust of the Fine Gael motion, Labour's amendment wants EU funding redirected for use on other transport projects in Dublin. "Dublin TDs are extremely annoyed at the fact that the Government is about to squander £114 million in structural funding, because they have filibustered beyond the eleventh hour on the Luas issue. We will be adopting a united approach on this . . . in the ail over the course of Fine Gael's private members debate," the spokesman said.
The proposal to extend the Luas rail system to the northside has won approval among Labour's Dublin TDs whose constituencies would be positively affected.
Fine Gael's motion will condemn the Government's failure to go ahead with proposals that would have secured the EU £114 million funds. The party's spokesman on public enterprise, Mr Ivan Yates, said Government TDs will now be forced to vote either for or against the Luas "hoax".
"It is quite clear now, from the comments of both the Taoiseach and the Minister, Ms O'Rourke, about the delays involved in the new public inquiry, that this Government is determined to have no construction activity in Dublin before the next general election," Mr Yates said.
The private members motion also says the Government decision to proceed with a partial underground section will indefinitely prolong the very severe traffic congestion problems in Dublin.
A vote on a Government counter-motion tomorrow night is expected to be carried by the coalition.
However, Mr Yates accused the Government of being "blatantly dishonest" in asserting that the revised proposals would cost around £400 million.