Seamus Brennan
Question:45 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to extend the proposed light rail system to Dublin Airport or to extend the Dart system to Dublin Airport. [2024/96]
Written Answers - Airport Rail Extension.
The Government decided last year that the transport strategy recommended in the final report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative will provide the general policy framework for the future development of the transport system in the greater Dublin Area.
The core light rail network recommended by DTI provides for lines to Tallaght, Cabinteely (via the Harcourt Street line) and Ballymun. A fourth light rail line to Finglas via the old Broadstone railway line and an extension of the Ballymun line to Dublin Airport and Swords have been recommended by DTI for implementation once the core light rail lines to Tallaght, Cabinteely and Ballymun have been constructed.
Apart from the proposed extension of the Ballymun light rail line to Dublin Airport, DTI also recommended that a conventional rail link, but not necessarily a DART type system, from Dublin Airport to the Dublin-Belfast railway line should be evaluated as a longer term option. This recommendation by DTI took a longer term strategic view of the role and importance of Dublin Airport and was not seen as impacting on the proposed light rail extension to the airport, as both would serve different markets.
These proposals will be considered in due course as part of the Government's ongoing commitment to the implementation of the DTI strategy.