Vol. 510 No. 1
86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if adequate safety measures and standards are currently applied and maintained on the Maynooth to Dublin commuter line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22007/99]
Day-to-day responsibility for all matters relating to rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. However, as I have said previously, my Department's railway inspecting officer has been in contact with Iarnród Éireann in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy.
87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position in relation to the upgrading of the rail line from Kilcock to Dublin via Maynooth and Leixlip; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22008/99]
88 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent of funding already spent on the upgrading of the Enfield to Dublin rail line via Kilcock, Maynooth and Leixlip; if expenditure to date is in proportion to the works carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22009/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
A considerable amount of physical work has been undertaken on the Maynooth to Clonsilla line during 1999, concentrating on site preparation including the slewing of the existing track, laying of ballast, drainage and the lowering of tracks at bridges. Some platforms on the Maynooth to Dublin line have been lengthened and the remainder will be finished in the coming year.
Almost eight miles of new track will be laid during 2000. Iarnród Éireann plans to have the whole infrastructure project completed on schedule by the end of 2000. New rolling stock for use on the service is also expected to be delivered by late 2000.
The Dublin to Maynooth project will involve investment of approximately £35 million, including about £12 million for new rolling stock. In addition, funding of £3 million has been allocated to improve track and signalling to Mullingar and this work is also progressing satisfactorily.
When this work has been completed it will be possible to introduce improved and more frequent services. It will not however, be possible for Iarnród Éireann to increase the number of services in the interim.
Approximately £3 million has been spent on the infrastructural element of the Dublin to Maynooth project to date.
