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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

111 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport his policy in relation to providing capacity on the northern suburban line in view of the expectation that population in towns such as Balbriggan is due to treble in the coming decade and the present two-track system from 1844 urgently needs additional track laying to even provide standing room as population along this line grows. [23543/02]

Irish Rail is about to start taking delivery of a fleet of 80 new diesel railcars, the first of which are due to arrive in the first week in December. Of these, 76 units will be allocated to Dublin and 32 will be used to service the route from Dundalk and Drogheda to Dublin. Their introduction into ser vice in the summer of 2003 will see capacity on the route increase by 43%.

The DTO strategy, A Platform for Change, identifies the need to increase track capacity between Connolly and Howth Junction on the northern suburban line. The strategy envisages implementation of this project in the period to 2010.

The strategic rail review commissioned by my Department and expected to be published early next year will provide a framework for the implementation of this and other rail projects in the coming years.

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