Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

168 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will outline, further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 30 January 2002, the increased capacity which she intends to provide on the Cork-Dublin train route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3629/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that currently it operates seven direct services each way on a daily basis on the Cork-Dublin route. This is augmented at weekends with additional services to cater for increased demand.

In addition, the planned purchase of 67 new mainline carriages will further provide a significant improvement in the quality of mainline services between Cork and Dublin.

The number of new carriages to be allocated to the Dublin-Cork route will be taken by Iarnród Éireann closer to the time of the carriages going into service.