Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - Rail Network.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

85 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which Iarnród Éireann has achieved sufficiently in terms of rolling stock for the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10860/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Iarnród Éireann has informed me that during the past two years, a total of 38 new DART carriages have been delivered, of which 26 are now in service with 12 more to go into service in the coming weeks. When the remaining 12 DART carriages are in service the capacity of the DART system will have increased by almost 50% since 2000. In addition, Iarnród Éireann plans to order shortly a further 36 DART cars to facilitate the operation of eight car DART trains at peak hours. These will enter service in 2004.

In addition, 20 diesel rail cars were delivered to Iarnród Éireann in 2000 for use on the upgraded Maynooth line. These new rail cars and associated track work have increased the capacity of the Maynooth line by over 100%, at peak times. Iarnród Éireann will also start taking delivery later this year of a further 80 new diesel rail cars at a cost of approximately €2 million each. These new rail cars will be used both to replace older rolling stock and to increase capacity on existing suburban rail services.

I understand Iarnród Éireann is currently evaluating tenders for the purchase of 67 new mainline rail carriages. This evaluation includes an examination of the most appropriate type of rolling stock for future use on mainline services in response to evolving customer needs and demands. I anticipate that this process will be completed very shortly.

Phil Hogan

Question:

86 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her Department has been informed of the cost of the ongoing television, radio and newspaper advertising campaign in respect of the rail investment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10861/02]

Phil Hogan

Question:

87 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if funding provided by her Department under the National Development Plan is being used to finance, or part finance, the ongoing television, radio and newspaper advertising campaign in respect of the rail investment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10862/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.

CIE, as part of its ongoing investment programme, has embarked on a communications strategy of advising the public of disruptions to services while works are under way and informing the public of the improvements to the rail network as a result of the investment under the national development plan. My Department has been advised that the cost of Iarnród Éireann's present television advertising campaign, which is funded from its own resources, is €500,000. Furthermore, projects such as the Heuston Station development programme, which are jointly funded by the national development plan and the EU Cohesion Fund have inbuilt into their costs an amount for advising the public of developments in the projects. This is one of the conditions imposed by the European Commission.