asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if there are any proposals that CIE should proceed with the erection of the proposed suburban rail system in Dublin.
8.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Suburban Rail System.
7.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if any decision has, as yet, been taken on the proposals by CIE regarding the Dublin suburban rail services and the replacement of the rolling stock on the provincial routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
My Department have been examining, in consultation with other Departments concerned, proposals from CIE for the upgrading and re-equipment of the suburban rail service from Howth to Bray, including new rolling stock and the resignalling of the line, and for the acquisition of new mainline carriages. Consideration of both proposals is well advanced and I hope to be in a position to have the proposals considered by the Government shortly.
In view of the fact that the traffic situation in the city is so bad and that there is a need for public transport in the new housing settlements, could the Minister give us any projection as to the likelihood of the development of these services? Will it be five years, ten years or how long?
I am afraid I cannot say just when at the moment. As I said, I will have the matter before the Government resonably shortly.
What is the overall plan he has in mind? He must have some idea of how long it is likely to take if he is at the stage where he is going to present it to the Government.
When did the Minister receive the original proposals from CIE?
March 1976.
I think it was some time in 1977.
Is the Minister aware that the reply he gave today is exactly the same as the reply given by his Minister of State in this House last May? What is the reason for the delay, especially in view of the extreme urgency of modernising the Dublin suburban lines and replacing rolling stock on provincial routes?
I am well aware of the need, but the Deputy will appreciate that this is a very expensive project. Consideration had to be given to the proposals as they were presented, and also to possible alternatives. This takes quite a while. The Deputy is aware that a number of Departments had to concern themselves with this before it finally came to the Minister responsible, who then puts it before the Government. All this takes quite a long time.
The Minister must have some idea how much it will cost when he says it is an expensive project.
It is an expensive project.
Thirty-eight million pounds.
Pending the new arrangements being put into operation, would the Minister try to impress on CIE that the cattle trucks they are using to bring commuters between Drogheda and Dublin morning and evening are put out of operation immediately and have the company use the same type of carriage they are using for the southern city? It appears that CIE are using a type of transport for those commuters—the Minister's constituents—which would not be accepable anywhere else. Would he ask the company to try to arrange that carriages which can be used for human beings will be put on that line immediately, not in the years to come when the new proposals come into operation?
The Deputy can be assured that the interests of my constituents are being well looked after by me.
They are not.
(Interruptions.)
It does not look like that from the election results.
This is happening since those results.
The Minister said he would be examining all the problems involved including possible alternatives. Does he mean by that that there is a possibility that he will not be going ahead with the scheme but will be devoting the money to roads, because one interpretation of the Green Paper could mean that?
What I meant were possible alternatives in relation to railways.
That means the scheme will definitely go ahead and the money will not be diverted to roads?
It means the Government will make a decision as to what they feel will be the best possible approach towards solving the problem which faces the company.
The Government will definitely go ahead with a scheme for a suburban railway through Dublin city and will not divert the money to roads?
The Government have not made a decision yet, as the Deputy is aware.
Is it the Minister's attitude that the money should not be diverted from rail to roads?
I have already replied to that question. I pointed out to the Deputy that when I referred to alternatives I meant alternatives in relation to the railway.
The railway scheme will go ahead?
May I ask a question?
This will be the last supplementary.
This is the third time this matter has been raised in the Dáil. Arising out of the Minister's reply could he tell the House what action has been taken by his Department since the matter was last replied to in May of this year? What Government Departments have not completely replied to his request for information? Could he give the House something he has not given in the past, that is, a firm indication of the timetable involved in this very minimal request by CIE for £38 million?
Has the Minister ever come to Dublin on one of those cattle trucks?
It is more than £38 million. If the Deputy puts down a question relating to the point he raised I will answer it.
By the Chair's ruling I would be limited in the kind of question I can put down on the ground that the matter has already been raised and answered in the Dáil. I have asked the Minister arising out of his reply to the House what specific action has been taken by his Department since his Minister of State replied to this question last May, and if he could give, on the basis of the action taken in the intervening period——
If the Deputy puts down a question in response to the Minister's invitation I will not rule it out.