Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1580. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the DART expansion programme and the electrification of the Sligo line from Connolly to Maynooth together with removal of level crossings and re-signalling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38090/17]
View answer1583. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his Department's work with Iarnród Éireann regarding the electrification of the Maynooth line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/17]
View answer1602. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on securing funding under the mid-term capital review for the electrification of the Maynooth and Kildare rail lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38509/17]
View answer1612. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the comments attributed to the CEO of Irish Rail regarding pressure in capacity on the Maynooth line that the most sensible rail investment to prioritise is the upgrading of this route to DART standard; his views on whether this would benefit the commuter population using the line and pave the way for building more affordable housing easily accessible to Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38628/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1580, 1583, 1602 and 1612 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035' proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART underground tunnel.
The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is underway on that at present. Due to constraints on funding, not all of the elements of the DART Expansion Programme can be progressed during the lifetime of the current Capital Plan. Funding has been allocated for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel.
As I have previously informed the Deputy, I have sought additional funding for public transport in the context of the ongoing mid-term review of the Capital Plan. This includes increased funding to accelerate implementation of the DART Expansion Programme.
