Vol. 405 No. 1
95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the need to provide adequate bus and rail services to the large development areas outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am acutely aware of the need to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of public transport in the Dublin area. The Maynooth line has already been significantly upgraded by the addition of four new stations at Confey (Leixlip), Coolmine, Castleknock and Broombridge and this project has been included for EC assistance in the Operational Programme for Peripherality. There are, moreover, a number of other significant public transport projects under consideration at present. These include proposals for a new commuter diesel rail service on the line from Clondalkin to the city centre with feeder buses to Tallaght.
In addition, I have established a high level working group to assess and report on the feasibility of rail and busway options for public passenger transport in relation to the former Harcourt Street railway line and the Tallaght area.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I am also in the process of preparing legislative proposals for submission to Government for the liberalisation of bus services with a view to encouraging greater competition between public and private bus operators. This legislation is intended to facilitate the development of new and enhanced public transport services both in Dublin and throughout the Country generally.
