Sir, - In your report (June 10th) regarding CIE's proposals for taking up the EC funding previously earmarked for Luas, there seems to be an assumption that due to the Government's recent decisions, the funds have been lost to Luas. This is not the case.
The Sandyford to Harcourt Street section of the Luas is ready to go. In fact, it was always the case that this section of the Luas would be unaffected by whatever decision was made in respect of the undergrounding of the city section of the line. There is no reason why the Sandyford to Harcourt Street section could not have been commenced in advance of the Atkins Report.
The following is the present position regarding the Harcourt Street line as I understand it: 1. The line has been designed. 2. The bridges have been designed. 3. The majority of the land is in public ownership.
What is now needed is for a separate public inquiry to be held, together with the necessary Dail legislation being initiated immediately. Construction work can then commence in time to draw down the necessary EC funding, which otherwise would be lost to Luas. - Yours, etc., John Deaton,
Dundrum, Dublin 14.