Vol. 533 No. 3
54 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress with the resignalling project to improve DART and rail services in the Dublin area; the time schedule for such work to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7851/01]
100 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the works which are required to be carried out to the over-head cable or sub-stations in order to accommodate additional capacity on the DART line; the schedule for such works to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7886/01]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 54 and 100 together.
Iarnród Éireann have recently submitted proposals for a package of measures to increase the capacity of the DART and suburban rail network in the Dublin area. These measures include resignalling, track alterations, longer platforms and upgrading of the power supply as well as additional rolling stock. The proposals, which would involve significant Exchequer investments, are being evaluated by my Department with the assistance of rail consultants. The implementation of the proposals submitted by Iarnród Éireann would involve a three year timescale from project commencement. In the meantime, an additional 16 DART carriages will be placed in service in late April or early May.
55 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 13 February 2001, she will advise of the railway inspecting officer's report on the DART service for commuters travelling at peak times from Clontarf, Killester and Harmonstown DART stations; the issues the railway inspecting officer noticed and followed up with Iarnród Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7852/01]
I mentioned in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 40 on 13 February, 2001 that the railway inspecting officers of my Department regularly travel at peak times on the DART and ARROW services and any safety issues they notice are followed up with Iarnród Éireann. No such safety issues have been noted by the railway inspecting officers at Clontarf, Killester or Harmonstown DART stations.
Incidents in relation to general operational matters have been noted by the railway inspecting officers, including at other DART stations, and have been raised with Iarnród Éireann. Such incidents have included unauthorised crossing of tracks by school children at Malahide, passengers boarding trains while wearing roller blades, the adequacy of handholds for standing passengers, the management of crowds at Tara Street station and acceleration and braking rates on new DART rolling stock.
Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 45.
Question No. 57 answered with Question No. 34.
