Vol. 519 No. 2
104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the present maximum daily passenger capacity on the Sallins/Hazelhatch/Dublin rail route; the extent to which it is expected to improve or enhance this capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13639/00]
The capacity constraints on suburban rail routes, including the Sallins to Dublin corridor, arise in the peak hours. The maximum passenger capacity on the Sallins/Hazelhatch/Dublin route during the morning peak is approximately 1,100. The present maximum daily passenger capacity on the route is approximately 5,000.
Proposals for enhancement of the capacity of this line include proposals for the quadrupling of the track between Hazelhatch and Sallins to separate the long distance and suburban rail services. Final decisions in respect of this project will be taken in the context of the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy update which will be finalised shortly.
105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that modern safety requirements are being met in full on the Sallins/Hazelhatch/Dublin rail services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13640/00]
Day to day responsibility for all matters relating to rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann.
The company has informed me that all safety requirements are being met by the rail services on the Sallins to Dublin line.
106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the degree to which safety requirements are now being complied with on the Kilcock to Dublin via Maynooth and Leixlip rail routes, with particular reference to both rolling stock and tracks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13641/00]
Day to day responsibility for all matters relating to rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann.
The company has informed me that all safety requirements are being met on the rail route from Kilcock to Dublin. The Deputy will be aware that most of the trackwork on this line has been replaced and the company has advised me that the remainder of the work, including the doubling of the line from Clonsilla to Maynooth, will be completed this year.
Iarnród Éireann has also assured me that all rolling stock operated by the company meets all European safety standards.
107 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current position in respect of the upgrading and enhancement of facilities at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey railway stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13642/00]
108 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current daily passenger capacity of the Enfield to Dublin rail route via Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey; the expected capacity when full upgrading has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13643/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
The capacity constraints on suburban rail routes, including the Maynooth corridor, arise in the peak hours. The current daily passenger capacity of the Enfield to Dublin route is 13,911 while the current peak capacity is 2,364.
Under the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-1999 Iarnród Éireann is currently engaged in doubling the track between Clonsilla and Maynooth. Work on this project is progressing satisfactorily and will be completed by the end of this year.
When this work has been completed it is planned to operate two additional services using eight-car train sets between Maynooth and Dublin in the peak, giving additional capacity of 2,500. These additional railcars are on order and are due to be delivered before the end of this year and will be entered into service following a period of commissioning.
The upgrading of track beyond Maynooth is almost completed.
