Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 1

Written Answers - Rail Network.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

68 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which works have been completed in respect of the upgrading of the Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip rail commuter links; the extent to which full anticipated passenger carrying capacity has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13455/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

69 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which overcrowding occurs on the Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey commuter rail link; if safety procedures are being complied with in all circumstances on this route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13456/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

70 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which the Sallins, Hazelhatch, commuter rail link has been upgraded in terms of capacity and in accordance with projections laid down in the course of the development plan for the rail system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13457/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

71 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the degree to which increased passenger rail traffic has been achieved on the various commuter and provincial rail routes; if achievements to date are in accordance with the projections and schedule laid down in the context of the development plan for the rail system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13458/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

72 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if adequate funding has been provided in the context of the development of the rail system to meet health and safety requirements in all circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13459/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

76 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if Iarnród Éireann has sufficient financial resources to meet its requirements in terms of adequate rolling stock and at the same time meeting its health and safety requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13464/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which the proposed extra passenger carrying capacity on the Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey rail link has been achieved; if full implementation of the previously identified proposals in this regard has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13465/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

78 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that adequate safety standards prevail on the Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip commuter rail links with particular reference to overcrowding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13466/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 to 72, inclusive, and 76 to 78, inclusive, together.

The national development plan provides for the investment of in excess of IR£1billion in the railway network. The investment will complete the safety programme; provide new and additional rolling stock; provide additional track capacity.

Some 26 DART cars have been delivered to Iarnród Éireann, ten of which entered service in November 2000 and the remaining 16 are now coming into service. A further 12 DART car riages will be delivered in 2002. These new carriages will have provided nearly a 50% increase in the capacity of the DART system by 2002.

In the case of outer suburban services, 20 diesel rail cars were delivered last year to Iarnród Éireann for use on the Maynooth line. The company plans to provide an increase of 100% in peak hour capacity and a half-hourly off-peak service using the new diesel railcars purchased for the route.

Iarnród Éireann has also advised me that the rail track between Maynooth and Connolly stations has been doubled and the line onwards to Kilcock has been upgraded to a high quality in recent years. Iarnród Éireann informs me that the operation of enhanced services on the Maynooth to Connolly line is awaiting the resolution of certain industrial relations issues. A full hearing before the Labour Court took place on 14 April 2001 and was adjourned to the end of May.

A further 60 diesel rail cars have been ordered under the national development plan and will be delivered by end 2002-early 2003. The company has also ordered a further 20 diesel rail cars. I understand that Iarnród Éireann has also commenced the tendering process in relation to new mainline rail carriages as provided for in the national development plan.

The national development plan recommended the provision of two additional tracks on the Dublin-Kildare line between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch to separate long distance and suburban services. Iarnród Éireann has informed me that it has completed preliminary design work, and are now engaged in detailed design work including site investigations. I am assured by the company that adequate safety standards prevail on all rail routes, including the Maynooth-Connolly line.

As I stated previously, the capacity of the DART will have increased by 50% by 2002 and there will be a 100% increase in peak hour capacity on the Maynooth line on the introduction of the new Arrow service. On the delivery of further additional rolling stock in 2002-03 further capacity increases will be provided on suburban rail services. Increases in the capacity of mainline services are planned following the introduction of new mainline rail carriages as provided for in the national development plan.

Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 21.