Vol. 496 No. 3
130 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether she has received a communication from Iarnród Éireann regarding the level of investment required to extend the facilities at the various railway stations from Enfield to Dublin with a view to facilitating extra carriages on trains and meeting safety requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22872/98]
133 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether she has received correspondence indicating the need to take urgent measures to address the necessity to observe minimum health and safety standards on the western commuter rail link; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22875/98]
141 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether she has allocated sufficient funding to Iarnród Éireann for the provision of a commuter rail service on the Enfield to Dublin route in view of recent disclosures regarding health and safety standards; if her comings in the service; the proposals, if any, she has to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22942/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 133 and 141 together.
Day-to-day responsibility for all matters relating to rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have been assured that rail safety is the company's main priority and is of paramount importance in all aspects of the company's operations.
Córas Iompair Éireann receives an annual subvention from the Exchequer for the provision of socially necessary services which cannot be provided on a fully commercial basis. The allocation of the subvention to the individual companies is currently a matter for the board of CIE. Approximately 90 per cent of the annual subvention goes to support the rail network. The total subvention for 1998 is £107 million.
Our unprecedented economic growth has generated a dramatic increase in the use of all forms of transport including our railway services. I am very much aware of the discomfort and delays which passengers have experienced in recent times on the western suburban train service. I wish to confirm that my Department's railway inspecting officer has been in contact with Iarnród Éireann regarding the potential safety implications of overcrowding.
However, I expect that the additional investment package, funded by the EU and the Exchequer, which I announced on 25 June of this year will alleviate the current difficulties being experienced by passengers. As part of the reallocation of the Luas EU aid additional investment of £63 million has been provided for Dublin suburban rail. The measures being funded on the section of the line from Mullingar to Dublin include the provision of extra suburban railcars which will allow for additional services on this corridor; an additional £3 million for track upgrading; the doubling of the track between Clonsilla and Maynooth and resignalling of the Maynooth line which will facilitate additional train services in the morning and evening peak; station platform lengthening to accommodate longer trains which will increase the passenger carrying capacity of the line.
Iarnród Éireann has advised me that a comprehensive engineering assessment of the line between Maynooth and the city centre has been completed. Design work has commenced and drawings are being prepared for the station improvements and the necessary trackwork.
131 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the ever pressing needs to commuters on the Enfield to Dublin rail line; the steps, if any, she will take to address the inadequacies of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22873/98]
I have no function in relation to this matter. The provision of rail passenger services is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnód Éireann.
132 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether her Department has awarded sufficient funds to Iarnród Éireann to enable it meet its commitments to commuters on the Enfield to Dublin rail line; when the net beneficial effects of this investment will be experienced by the commuters in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22874/98]
I have no function in relation to this matter. The allocation of Exchequer subvention to transport services is an operational matter for CIE and Iarnród Éireann.
135 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on directing the authorities in Iarnród Éireann to provide extra trains morning and evening on the western commuter rail link in view of the fact that the public cannot get to work by road due to traffic congestion and by rail due to the inadequacies, short comings and inefficiency of the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22877/98]
140 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself with the quality of the service available to commuters on the Maynooth to Dublin rail line in view of funds awarded by her to Iarnród Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22941/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 140 together.
I am aware that there has been substantial growth in the population of the catchment area along the Maynooth corridor and that it is a rapidly growing commuter route. The investment needs for the route including track renewal, doubling of the track between Clonsilla and Maynooth and the provision of additional rolling stock were identified and costed during 1997.
The investment package of £63 million in combined EU and Exchequer funding which I announced in June 1998 following the reallocation of the Luas funding includes financing for the provision of extra suburban railcars on the Maynooth line; station platform lengthening to accommodate longer trains which will increase the passenger carrying capacity of the line; the doubling of the track between Clonsilla and Maynooth and resignalling of the Maynooth line.
Iarnród Éireann has advised me that a comprehensive engineering assessment of the line between Maynooth and the city centre has been completed. Design work has commenced and drawings are being prepared for the station improvements and the necessary trackwork.
The investment will facilitate the provision of additional services. However, I have no statutory responsibility in respect of the day to day services and timetables which are operational matters for Córas Iompair Éireann and its subsidiary company Iarnród Éireann.
