Vol. 558 No. 2
190 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given by his Department or by the Dublin Transportation Office to upgrading the rail link between Heuston and Connolly Stations in order to accommodate the Arrow Service. [23972/02]
191 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given by his Department or by the Dublin Transportation Office to upgrading the rail link between Heuston and Connolly Stations in order to accommodate the Arrow Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23971/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
The rail link to which the Deputy refers, between Heuston Station and Connolly Stations, is routed through the Phoenix Park tunnel.
The view of Iarnród Éireann is that it would not be possible, at present, to route regular suburban rail services via this tunnel without restricting existing services at Connolly Station as the Phoenix Park tunnel is very limited in capacity and there are also track capacity constraints at Connolly Station.
The Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, also advises that the Phoenix Park tunnel is very limited in capacity and does not offer the development potential of the proposed alternative, an interconnector tunnel from Heuston Station via Pearse Station and the docklands to connect to the Maynooth and Northern lines. This latter proposal forms part of the DTO's integrated strategy for transport in the greater Dublin area for 2000 to 2016.
Iarnród Éireann has recently commissioned a detailed study to look at the issue of interconnection between the Maynooth, Kildare and Northern lines, and also the potential of the Phoenix Park tunnel with €1 million in funding provided by the Exchequer under the national development plan. Iarnród Éireann expects the study to be completed early next year.
