The Dublin Transportation Office is an independent body set up under the auspices of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the Dublin Transportation Initiative strategy. It is a matter for the steering committee of the Dublin Transportation Office to decide on its work programme within the terms of its establishment order.
The examination and promoton of heavy rail services is primarily a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have asked the company to prepare detailed investment plans for both the mainline and suburban rail networks in the context of securing EU or other funding in the post-1999 period. I expect to receive the relevant reports in the near future. These reports will provide the basis for determining the future rail investment programme.
The Dublin Transportation Office has also recently decided to undertake a review and updating of the Dublin Transportation Initiative strategy and this will undoubtedly address the role of the railway in that overall strategy. The review phase, which focuses on short-term measures is expected to be completed by end April.