Vol. 521 No. 4
83 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress on the development of the Dublin suburban rail network; the potential for an underground public transport network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17511/00]
The national development plan provides for a significant investment in the development of Dublin suburban rail services. It provides for an investment of £185 million for a short-term rail development programme which will include the acquisition of new rolling stock, line upgrading, the provision of new stations and resignalling work.
Under the short-term programme, the combination of the infrastructural improvements and the additional rolling stock will increase DART capacity by almost 7,400 places, 39%, and suburban rail capacity by 7,800 seats, 26%, and will allow additional services at peak times and the operation of eight car trains.
In addition to the short-term programme, the Dublin suburban rail strategic review, commissioned by CIE, has been finalised. This sets out recommendations, including costings, for the longer term development of the suburban rail network. The core recommendation in the review is the construction of an east/west tunnel linking the northern and/or western suburban lines with the Kildare line.
The Dublin transportation office is currently updating its transportation strategy for the period up to 2016. One element of the DTO's proposals for meeting future public transport needs up to that date involves the development of a metro system. The DTO made a preliminary presentation of its proposed strategy to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructural Development and Public Private Partnerships in April. The DTO is now proceeding to urgently complete its work on its updated strategy, including a full economic evaluation. This strategy will then be considered by the Government following formal submission by the DTO.
