asked the Minister for Transport if a final decision has been made regarding the acquisition of new rolling stock for the suburban rail system within the context of the electrification programme; if so, if he will give details of the acquisition, including the number of rolling stock, their specification in terms of seating capacity and so on; and the cost and the origin of supply.
Written Answers . - Suburban Rail System .
263.
: Proposals by CIE for the electrification of the Dublin suburban rail services from Howth to Bray including the acquisition of new rolling stock were approved by the Government on 30 May 1979. The contracts for the supply of the rolling stock including detailed specifications, and other works in connection with the project, are matters for which the board are directly responsible. I can, however, say that the CIE proposal specified the acquisition of a total of 80 carriages, which will be comprised of 40 electric motor units and 40 electric trailer units. Each will have accommodation for a total of 180 passengers, 72 seated and 108 standing. CIE invited tenders for the supply of the rolling stock from a number of manufacturers. As they have not yet placed a final contract I feel it would be inappropriate on my part to mention the name of the likely supplier at this stage or to give details of the arrangements likely to be involved.