Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
54. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the status of the programme for Government commitment to enhance suburban and commuter rail across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15570/21]
View answer98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is supporting the improvement of the rail network, including the development of additional capacity which is a particular challenge on routes such as the northern commuter line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1690/21]
View answer128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if, in the context of the national development plan, he expects to see positive changes to meet the ongoing requirements of the travelling public with particular reference to the urgent need to meet the requirements of commuters in more densely populated areas such as County Kildare to encourage the use of rapid rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10357/21]
View answer397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the rail service, national and commuter, have access to adequate modernisation such as new carriages and an increase in the number of carriages thereby providing more options to the travelling public and commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15879/21]
View answer398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to examine the potential for growth on commuter and intercity rail lines with a view to maximising the use of rail transport into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15880/21]
View answer403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the steps taken or pending to increase the capacity of the commuter rail services throughout north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15885/21]
View answerI ask the Minister to look at the gist of the questions. In my case it relates to the use of rail transport and encouraging the use of rapid rail in growing communities in densely populated areas in line with the national development plan.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 98, 128, 397, 398 and 403 together.
I will absolutely commit to doing that. I raise one concern. We will have a major challenge because we will have so many proposals for investment in both our rail and road networks and the rail investment in particular will be a multiple of the resources that are available. To make the investments that we need to make work and to justify them we will need to ensure that our housing plans match our public transport plans.
Last week, I looked at the strategic housing development applications for County Kildare in which obviously the Deputy has a keen interest. In recent years, it seemed that there was little coherence between approval for large housing developments and proximity to public transport services, irrespective of whether they were upgraded. Key to being able to afford the rail investment is ensuring that our housing is in the same location. That applies across the country, but particularly in County Kildare.
We have run out of time. Deputy Durkan may make a quick comment if he likes.
Now is the crucial time to plan ahead for the transport that is needed in the future. In the past, we planned for the time in which the plan was made. I do not believe that is enough any more. I believe we now need to plan well ahead and plan for economic, social and community expansion.
