Vol. 491 No. 6
59 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will support the views of the Chief Executive of CIÉ who stated that investment of £35 million in the Maynooth suburban line represents the best value for money project in the Dublin area for CIÉ; if she will ensure that Luas funding now available is redirected to this public transport project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12809/98]
101 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the representations, if any, she has received from community groups along the route of the Maynooth to Dublin rail link requesting upgrading of the lines, provision of extra rolling stock and improvement in the frequency of services; if she will respond positively to these submissions in the near future; the manner and method by which she intends to respond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12910/98]
102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the rolling stock requirement on the Maynooth to Dublin line; the plans, if any, she has to address this problem in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12911/98]
103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress, if any, to date on the upgrading of the Maynooth to Dublin rail link with particular reference to the availability of EU funding in the absence of an early start of Luas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12912/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 101, 102 and 103 together.
While the provision of services is an operational matter for CIE in which I have no statutory function, I am very much aware of the investment requirements on the Maynooth line. Earlier this year I met representatives of the Dublin 15 Community Council who presented a very well researched case for investment in the line.
The investment requirements of the line have been examined by CIE and by my Department in the context of EU funding. From work done to date it is clear that there are three principal components to the upgrading of this service. The first and most important is an upgrading of signalling in the city centre area to facilitate increased levels of service. The other elements are an upgrading of trackwork, including the doubling of the line from Clonsilla to Maynooth, and the provision of additional rolling stock.
Consultations have begun on the reallocation of the EU funds decommitted from the light rail project. As I have previously indicated in this House, my Department has been working with CIE for some time to identify potentially suitable projects on the Dublin suburban rail network which could avail of the EU funding. To avail of EU aid the projects must be capable of being contractually committed by end 1999 and work must be completed by 2001 at the latest. The Maynooth project is among those which have been submitted for consideration in respect of the reallocation of EU aid.
