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Light Rail Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Questions (148, 153)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet a delegation from Kildare County Council made up of public representatives and the officials responsible for transport policy in connection with their requests to extent the DART to Kilcock, County Kildare, and Enfield, County Meath, in order to accommodate a wider catchment area and reduce pressure on road transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36092/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which he expects commuter rail transport in north County Kildare to be upgraded or enhanced to meet the modern demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36097/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 153 together.

As the Deputy may be aware DART+ is a multi-billion euro programme to upgrade rail services in the Greater Dublin Area and will effectively double the capacity of the network compared to today. The programme will see DART level services and infrastructure extended to Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Dunboyne Line and to Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line.

Over the summer I launched the first phase on non-statutory consultation in relation to DART+ West, which relates specifically to the Maynooth line, and that first phase of consultation closed on 21st October.

It is my understanding as part of the public consultation on the DART+ West project, Iarnród Éireann has received a number of submissions regarding extension of the service to Kilcock or Enfield. These submissions will be given due consideration as part of the process of identifying the preferred route for DART+ West. The feasibility of any proposed extension would be considered as part of this consultation process and I would encourage stakeholders to engage with that process as it develops in the coming months.

Separately the Deputy will also be aware of Government's approval last year of the proposed purchase of 41 additional carriages to the ICR fleet, which will increase capacity across both the Maynooth and Kildare Lines, thus benefitting commuters of North Kildare in advance of the delivery of DART+.

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