Vol. 467 No. 5
126 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to secure EU funding for the improvement of the commuter rail service on the Maynooth line, through the development of a double rail track along the entire line, the introduction of new carriages and an increase in the frequency of service. [13724/96]
Detailed proposals for the development of suburban rail services on the Maynooth rail corridor prepared by CIÉ are among a package of public transport investments which are being considered for Cohesion Fund assistance by the European Commission.
127 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to secure EU funding for the improvement of the Arrow line through the extension of the line to Connolly Station and the development of new rail stations in areas of high population density. [13725/96]
The Government has decided that the transport strategy recommended in the final report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative will provide the policy frame-work for the future development of the transport system in the Greater Dublin Area. The DTI strategy endorsed the development of the existing HeustonKildare Arrow rail service and indicated that patronage on the new service should be monitored and that the possibility or extending it to Connolly and Pearse stations should be reviewed in line with market needs. However, the extension of the Arrow service to Connolly and Pearse stations is not among the priority public transport projects identified by DTI and included in the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-1999. I have not received any proposals from CIÉ for such an extension.
Earlier this year I approved the allocation of funding under the Operational Programme for Transport for a package of investment in DART and other suburban rail services in Dublin, including the construction of new DART stations at Barrow Street and Fairview, a new Maynooth line station at the old Drum-condra station and a new station at Kil-cock. Iarnród Éireann has responsibility for implementing the individual elements of the package.
