Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Rail Network.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

181 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the additional rol ling stock so urgently required to meet the needs of rail travellers in respect of seating accommodation and catering facilities on trains from Dublin to Cork and Tralee and other long distance lines to the west will be delivered; if she has satisfied herself that the volume of rolling stock on order is adequate to meet the needs of the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27681/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The national development plan makes provision for the replacement of mainline rail rolling stock over the life of the plan. Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking a tender process for the purchase of new train sets on the inter-city routes. I understand that an order will be placed for the new train sets in the new year on completion of the tender process. These train sets will provide for 30 to 40 carriages. Delivery of the new carriages will take place in 2002-2003.