asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has for a further suburban rail electrification programme after the completion of the section between Howth and Bray.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Rail Electrification Programme .
5.
asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to proceed with the construction of the electrified suburban train service to (a) Blanchardstown, (b) Clondalkin and (c) Tallaght, County Dublin.
: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
As the Deputies are probably aware, the initiative in planning rail projects, including suburban electrification, rests under statue with CIE. In the latter connection the board submitted for approval proposals to extend the present Howth-Bray scheme to Greystones and to provide a rapid rail link between Tallaght and Heuston Station.
The Greystones proposal was turned down by the former Minister for Transport last August. This decision was based on an assessment of available funds, investment priorities in the present difficult financial situation, traffic projections in the context of all commuter requirements and the estimated cost involved. Following representations from local interest I am now giving further consideration to the Greystones proposal but I cannot hold out much prospect, in present circumstances, that the extension can be approved.
There are no proposals at present for the provision of electrified services to either Clondalkin or Blanchardstown and as to the Tallaght proposal I would refer the Deputies to my reply of 2 February 1983 on this question.
: I find this reply amazing. Is the Minister aware that Tallaght is the most rapidly growing area in Europe? Within a few years it will be a city of 100,000 people and within the decade both Clondalkin and Blanchardstown will also be cities of that size. There are no proposals whatsoever in regard to a rail system to enable commuting from Clondalkin and Blanchardstown, according to the Minister's reply. Does the Minister intend to make proposals or suggestions or how does he think the 100,000 people in each of these towns are to travel?
: Deputy Mac Giolla will know that I am acutely aware of the transport problems in west and south-west Dublin. CIE have recently accepted a suggestion from my Department that a joint Department of Transport/CIE evaluation should be undertaken of the proposed provision of an electrified rail link from Tallaght. That will get under way very shortly.
: I accept that the decision had been made about the Bray-Greystones section of the line. In view of the commitment in the Programme for Government that they would develop the rapid rail system as soon as the present Howth-Bray scheme was completed, does the Minister feel there is an obligation on him to extend the Howth-Bray scheme and start the line to Tallaght?
: There is an obligation on me to do what is best in the interests of the public generally, particularly the travelling public.
: It is in the programme.
: Even if it is in the Programme for Government it will have to be done if and when money is available. I will certainly not give any commitment which I cannot live up to. CIE's proposal for Tallaght is currently being considered by the joint CIE/Department of Transport panel and I would hope they would conclude that business as quickly as possible.
: Have the Minister and his Department given any thought to the future of the line known as the Harcourt Street line, especially since the joint Programme for Government contained a specific reference to the possibility of opening a busway from Dundrum to the city centre? I share Deputy Mac Giolla's concern for the vastly expanding population of that area, in which I know the Minister resides.
: This seems to be a different question.
: It arises out of Question No. 5. Will the Minister give a commitment to stand by the statement in the joint programme?
: It is a separate question and I will be delighted to answer that question fully if the Deputy tables it.
: Is the Minister aware that some of the costings given by CIE for the proposed extensions of the line are challenged by other experts who think that the estimates are much too high?
: I would hope the evaluation panel would look at the costings to make sure they are reasonable.
: Is the Minister aware that commuters using the Balbriggan-Dublin line are travelling in carriages which are hardly better than cattle trucks? Would the Minister not agree that this section of the line from Howth Junction to Balbriggan should receive priority in the electrification programme and in the improvement of facilities generally, particularly the carriages?
: That is a separate question. I am aware that much of CIE's rolling stock is somewhat dated and not as good as it should be. I have seen to it that in the capital provisions for this year there is money to start the building of new rolling stock at Inchicore.
: It was already there.
: Could I have an answer regarding the electrification of the line to Balbriggan?
: The questions relate to Howth-Bray and do not relate to Balbriggan. I would be glad to fully answer qestions in relation to this from the Deputy if he tables them.
: Question No. 5 asks the plans the Minister has for a further suburban rail electrification programme after the completion of the section between Howth and Bray. The logical thing is from Howth Junction north to Balbriggan. If the service is going to Greystones the other area is a priority area also.
: I have no further plans at the moment. I am looking at all of these areas and I will make a decision on them as quickly as I can, and the best decision possible.
: It was in the Programme for Government but nothing is done about it afterwards.
: Is the Minister aware that the western railway line goes through Blanchardstown and the southern line goes through Clondalkin? Until the time somebody thinks up some proposal for electrified suburban railway lines to the city has the Minister any plans for an interim commuter development on those two lines to assist the people who are rapidly moving into those new towns of Blanchardstown and Clondalkin?
: The only thing I can say is that I am acutely aware of the problems in west County Dublin and the rate of expansion of the population there. I hope that the fact that I personally insisted that part of the capital provided in this year's Estimate would be spent on new rolling stock to be built at Inchicore should somewhat alleviate the rolling stock problem and, hopefully, might allow for some sort of improvement in the suburban services of the nature mentioned by Deputy Mac Giolla.
: May I ask a final supplementary?
: No.
: It will only take one figure. Could the Minister tell the House how many carriages will be built this year in Inchicore?
: I do not have that information but it is hoped that the first of the new carriages should be available and ready by April next year.
: Only one carriage by April next year?
: The first will be available. If it is only one it is one more than the Deputy's Government provided, but it will be more than one.
(Interruptions.)