Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has said that seven new Luas trams will be operational in some time after next year.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has ordered the Citadis trams for the Cross City project in Dublin, at a cost of €36.5m, excluding VAT.

Each new tram will be able to hold 379 passengers.

Minister Donohoe said the new trams will accommodate up to 80 extra passengers in either direction.

"The target for Luas Cross City, which is extending the Green Line … beyond where it is at the moment, down O'Connell St, up Dominic Street, and there from Phibsboro and then on to Cabra - the target has been that that will be operational from the middle of 2017, and we will deliver that," he said.