Planning for public transport improvements will continue despite anticipated cuts in tomorrow's Budget, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey insisted this afternoon.

Speaking at the launch of the Luas Red Line extension to the Point, Mr Dempsey joked he was glad the opening was happening "this side of the Budget", instead of after it.

Responding to questions from reporters later, Mr Dempsey reaffirmed the Government's commitment to developing Metro North, Dart underground and the remaining Luas lines.

Mr Dempsey said he could give “absolute assurance” that planning on Metro North and Dart underground would go ahead. “Both of them are in the capital programme going forward. They have to go through the planning process and the Government is absolutely committed to both of those projects".

Mr Dempsey said: "There are a couple of more Luas extensions that will open over the next couple of years and further ones that are in planning. We intend to ensure that we can bring all of those through planning and design and then we will build as we have the money to build."

Lines due to open next year and in 2011 are the Cherrywood extension and the extension to City West.

However, the Minister conceded that it would not be possible to complete planned rail lines would within the original Transport 21 timeframe. “It will be built, it will be planned for and as soon as we have the finance it will be built".

To celebrate the new Luas extension, travel between Tallaght and the point is free for the remainder of today. The extension from Busáras to the Point will incorporate four stops at Georges Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and The Point.

The project extends the Red Line for 1.5km from Connolly Station, through the Docklands to the Point. Total journey time on the Red Line from the Point to Tallaght will be 52 minutes and trams will run from the Point to Tallaght every 6.5 minutes at peak times and every eight minutes at all other times on weekdays.

Mr Dempsey said the extension would add 1.8 million passenger journeys to the network every year.

The new line will go into full service tomorrow morning at 5.30am.

RPA chief executive Frank Allen said that while many people in the IFSC had misgivings about building a light rail through the heart of a financial services centre, these concerns were well managed. Public consultation for the extension began in January 2001 and construction began in June 2007, he said.