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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - DART Service.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

277 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of additional carriages to be acquired for the DART system; when these will be delivered; if it is envisaged that this will allow for a more frequent DART service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24307/00]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

280 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will outline any programme agreed with Iarnród Éireann to increase the passenger capacity of the DART system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24310/00]

Richard Bruton

Question:

285 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of new DART carriages which have been acquired in the past two years; the net increase in the number of carriages in use during the morning peak time for the month of October for each of the past three years; the number of carriages in use per kilometre of track in use in October of each of the past three years; and the number of new scheduled runs added to the timetable comparing each October in each of the past three years. [24563/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 280 and 285 together.

The DART fleet has comprised 80 carriages since services commenced between Howth and Bray, a distance of 33.2 kilometres, in 1984. Ten new carriages were recently delivered. Four of these units are in service since October with the extension of DART services to Greystones and Malahide, which added an additional 14 kilometres to the system. The remaining six are due to enter service this month.

A further 16 carriages have also been delivered recently and will enter service in the spring of next year following commissioning. Twelve more carriages have been ordered and are due for delivery in 2002 and will be in service by summer 2003.

As these carriages come into service, capacity will increase. The following is indicative of the anticipated increases in carrying capacity of the DART:

Fleet

Capacity

1984-September 2000

80

14,000

October 2000

84

14,700

November 2000

90

15,750

Spring 2001

106

18,550

Summer 2003

118

20,650

Scheduling of DART services is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. However, I am informed by the company that every available carriage is in service at peak hours.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

278 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has raised with Iarnród Éireann the need to give DART trains priority over diesel trains when entering Connolly Station, Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24308/00]

I have no function in relation to this matter; it is a day-to-day matter for Iarnród Éireann.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

279 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that there are sufficient drivers to operate the DART system; if it is planned to recruit any additional drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24309/00]

I have no function in relation to this matter; it is a day-to-day matter for Iarnród Éireann.

Question No. 280 taken with Question No. 277.
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