The proposed light rail system for Galway will go ahead despite the recession, Galway City Councillor Niall O Brolchain has promised.

Speaking ahead of a presentation on the project to Green Party Leader, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley as part of his visit to the city on Friday, Cllr O Brolchain, who is a member of the GLUAS working group, said the project was designed with the recession in mind.

"One of the things we got into the programme for government – we didn't get a lot of things into the programme – was the feasibility studies of light rail for Galway," said Cllr O Brolchain.

"I will be meeting Minister Dempsey very shortly to discuss this (funding) and there is no reason under the sun why this project cannot happen. Its time has come," he added.

Pointing to the success LUAS in Dublin, Minister Gormley said finance officials had poured cold water on the project, which, he said, has been one of the most successful projects ever.

"When you have something that will get you from A to B on time, while totally reliable, it will be successful.

"You contrast that to buses. If you are at a bus stop and you don't know when the next bus is due to come and don't have integrated ticketing, then of course you'll have problems," Minister Gormley said.

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