asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the increasing number of passengers using rail commuter services in the Dublin area, CIE has sought financial help or is otherwise taking steps to acquire new rolling stock especially suited to give speedier and more frequent services and easier entrance to and exit from carriages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Rail Services.
17.
CIE have not sought financial help for the specific purpose of acquiring new rolling stock for commuter services. The board propose to convert existing diesel rail cars to carriage stock with additional seating and standing accommodation for use on the Dublin suburban rail services.
Would the Minister have regard to the need to encourage commuter traffic by speeding up the trains and to the fact that a considerable amount of delay arises by reason of the construction of the existing rolling stock which requires each door to be manually opened and closed? Would the Government, with CIE, work to ensure automatic opening and closing and a modern rolling stock so that the number of halts could be increased and additional services provided to encourage commuter traffic?
As I have indicated, CIE are adapting existing diesel rail cars for this purpose. Whether this will include the adaptation of the doors which the Deputy has in mind I do not know but I shall see that his suggestion is passed on to CIE.
Would the Minister be good enough to convey another suggestion to CIE and that is that they would vastly improve the image of CIE if they were to destroy or remove the large number of derelict goods wagons on rail sidings between Dublin and Galway?
The question deals with rolling stock and this is a separate question. We are not discussing the image of CIE. The Deputy should resume his seat.
Perhaps the Chair is right. This stock is incapable of rolling now.