Darren O'Rourke
Question:190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the cost and timeframe for delivery regarding the replacement of the Dublin Belfast Enterprise train fleet. [61529/21]
View answerTuesday, 14 December 2021
Questions (190)
Written answers
As the Deputy may know, the purchase of replacement and additional fleet for the Dublin - Belfast Enterprise service is part of the draft PEACE PLUS programme as submitted to the European Commission. The draft programme has been approved by the Government, Northern Ireland Executive and the North South Ministerial Council and submitted to the European Commission for final consideration and approval with a formal launch expected in 2022.
In terms of overall timing, the PEACE PLUS programme extends to 2027 and the draft programme proposes an allocation of €165million toward the Enterprise project. However, the total overall costs and timeframes for the project are in the early stages of development by both Iarnród Éireann and Translink and will be refined further in due course. It is to be expected that the total costs of the project will be in excess of the €165million likely to be available through the PEACE PLUS programme and will therefore fall to be considered by the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. This was factored into my Department's considerations as the National Development Plan was developed.
The objective of the project is to enhance passenger experience on the Enterprise and allow the service move toward an hourly frequency in the future.