Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 5

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

187 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if new locomotives and new passenger carriages have been purchased by Iarnród Éireann to operate on the upgraded Dublin-Mullingar railway line; when these will be put into service; the likely improvements in timetables that will result from these investments; and if, in view of the increased commuter potential in the Mullingar area, she will have Iarnród Éireann review the provision of additional commuter services on this line. [25824/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

A key element of the strategy to improve public transport under the national development plan is to exploit more fully the potential for development on the suburban rail network for the greater Dublin area. Twenty new railcars will be introduced in the coming weeks on the Dublin-Maynooth service providing a better frequency of service for passengers. As a result, Iarnród Éireann expects commuters between Maynooth and Dublin to use this service to a greater extent than the Dublin-Mullingar service, thus relieving overcrowding and improving passenger comfort for passengers between Dublin and Mullingar.

As part of the strategy to upgrade suburban rail services, Iarnród Éireann has informed me that the Dublin-Maynooth upgrading project, which is on the Dublin-Mullingar line, will also be completed in the coming weeks. In addition, improvements in the signalling system to increase track capacity are being evaluated at present.

Billy Timmins

Question:

188 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will consider extending the rail line and service from Kilcoole to Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow in view of the fact that Newtownmountkennedy is set to undergo a rapid population increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25873/00]

Billy Timmins

Question:

189 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will consider extending the DART from Greystones to Wicklow town in view of the fact that Wicklow town is set to undergo a large population increase. [25874/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

The recently published DTO Platform for Change Strategy 2000-2016 proposes an integrated transport system which will meet the long-term transport needs of the greater Dublin area, which includes Counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Part of the strategy provides for the provision of additional suburban stations on the existing rail network, including the coastal suburban line to Wicklow.

The national development plan published by the Government in November 1999 already makes provision for the investment of £185 million on short-term developments on the suburban rail network in the greater Dublin area. The upgrading of the railway line from Greystones southwards to Arklow forms an integral part of the development plan. You will be pleased to know that work on the Greystones to Arklow line has commenced and the re-laying of four miles of track will be completed by the end of this year.

The extension of the DART to Wicklow town or a new suburban rail line connecting Kilcoole to Newtownmountkennedy are not envisaged under the plan.