Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

223 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has cleared funding for the provision of works on the Arrow and Maynooth suburban rail lines for 2002; the details in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2407/02]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

227 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position in relation to the provision of a train station to serve Lucan, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2627/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 227 together.

Iarnród Éireann has informed me that major investment has been made on the Maynooth line over the past three years which involved upgrad ing of the track, signalling, stations and the acquisition of 20 new diesel railcars. A new timetable with more frequent services was introduced last year involving a 100% increase in capacity on the service.

Iarnród Éireann is proceeding with planning and design work for the upgrading of the rail infrastructure on the Dublin-Kildare line. This major project will involve quadrupling of rail track between Hazelhatch and Sallins to separate long distance and suburban services.

Iarnród Éireann plan to provide a new station at Lucan – Adamstown – as part of this project and Iarnród Éireann is in discussion with the local authorities and developers regarding the optimum location for the station and funding options. Iarnród Éireann in the coming months will start taking delivery of 80 diesel railcars which will be used to upgrade further services on the Dublin suburban services later in the year.