Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Dublin-Belfast Railway Line.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

241 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when he expects the upgrading of the Dublin-Belfast railway line to be completed; the plans, if any, there are for improving the time and frequency of this service; the proposed structure for the joint management of this service; the way in which he proposes to ensure that main towns such as Dundalk, County Louth and Newry, County Down along the Dublin-Belfast corridor will derive benefit from the improved service; the further plans, if any, there are to run at least some of the trains into the newly reopened Great Victoria Street Station, in Belfast's city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4903/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

The target completion date for upgrading the Dublin-Belfast railway line and the introduction of new services is December 1996.

The upgrading will permit faster and more frequent services. It is planned to increase the frequency of service from six to nine trains per day in each direction. Journey times for express services will be one hour and 35 minutes, a reduction of 20 minutes.

The new service will be jointly operated and marketed by Iarnród Éireann and Northern Ireland Railways. There will be common livery on the trains, common uniforms and common catering arrangements.

The improved service will benefit intermediate towns, including Dundalk — where the station is being improved — and Newry, and will assist in the development of an economic corridor between Dublin and Belfast.

Initially it is planned to run the service to Central Station, Belfast, but the possibility of terminating some or all services at the new Great Victoria Street Station will be kept under review with Northern Ireland Railways.