Rail Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

Questions (183)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

183. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will consult with the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail in relation to the reason that the Sligo to Dublin rail service is excluded from the current review and public consultation process of enhanced and amended timetables; if the issue of peak services being regularly late and overcrowded in the greater Dublin area including the commuter towns in counties Meath and Kildare will be addressed; if there are plans to add additional capacity to the service; if the Leap card will be extended to Enfield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48015/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day provision and operation of public transport. 

The issues raised by the Deputy regarding the inclusion of certain services in the public consultation on enhanced timetables, the extension of the short-hop zone, and plans to add additional capacity to specific services are matters first and foremost for the National Transport Authority (NTA). Similarly, the issue of peak services in the Greater Dublin Area regularly being late and overcrowded is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. 

Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA and Iarnród Éireann respectively for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51