Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
57. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the progress on the Kildare route project to provide an additional train line to County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17774/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Kildare Route Project Railway Order was signed by the then Minister for Transport on the 5th of December 2006. The Kildare Route Project (KRP) extends approximately 13km from a point just west of Heuston Station in the Dublin City Council area to a point just west of Hazelhatch in the Kildare County Council area. While the four-tracking between Cherry Orchard to Hazelhatch/Celbridge was completed, all other works on the project had been put on hold, as the project had been deferred following the reduction in the Exchequer capital investment programme.
The National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. The recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, also confirms DART Expansion as one of a number of key investment priorities to deliver a comprehensive public transport network over the next decade. The electrification of the line to Hazelhatch/Celbridge and remaining infrastructure to complete the link of the Kildare commuter route to the City Centre and to achieve the benefits envisaged by the KRP will be delivered as part of the DART Expansion programme as envisaged in the NDP.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy ad overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
