Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 4

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Ivor Callely

Question:

46 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if, further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 54 and 100 on 27 March 2001, she will outline the proposals that have been submitted by Iarnród Éireann to increase the capacity of DART services; the likely timescale for evaluation of these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16992/01]

Ivor Callely

Question:

66 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the issues that have been brought to her Department's attention in connection with commuters using DART services at peak travel times; the measures that have been put in place to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16994/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 66 together.

The national development plan, in recognition of the urgent need for additional peak hour capacity, provides for significant investment in suburban rail services, including DART, in the greater Dublin area. Iarnród Éireann has ordered 12 new DART carriages to enter service in 2002. These are in addition to the 26 new DART carriages, which have entered service since October last year. These new carriages will have provided a 50% increase in the capacity of the DART system by the end of 2002. Iarnród Éireann also plan to purchase a further 36 new DART cars.

In addition, Iarnród Éireann has submitted investment proposals to my Department for a major upgrade in the DART network to provide further significant increases in capacity beyond 2002. The proposals provide for the lengthening of platforms to accommodate eight car trains, a major upgrade of the signalling capacity to allow an increased number of trains in the city centre area and increased power supply for operating the enhanced network. My Department is in ongoing detailed discussions with Iarnród Éireann in relation to these proposals. In 2001 £3.5 million was allocated by my Department in respect of planning and design work for the DART upgrades. Further details of the timescales involved will be determined as planning and design progresses.