John Perry
Ceist:168 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be made available to Iarnród Éireann to extend and upgrade its rolling stock; the amount involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2627/03]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:273 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which Iarnród Éireann has sufficient rolling stock to meet its immediate and long-term needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3011/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 273 together.
In addition to the new DART and diesel rail cars delivered over the past two years, the first batch of 80 new diesel rail cars was delivered recently. The balance will be delivered over the coming months and will go into service later in the year after commissioning.
In 2002 as many as 67 new mainline carriages and 40 new DART carriages were ordered and these are currently being manufactured. These orders represent an investment of approximately €310 million in new rolling stock under the NDP. This represents the most significant investment in new rolling stock for Irish Rail in decades.
The future additional rolling stock requirements of Irish Rail will be considered in the context of the strategic rail review, which I hope to publish shortly.
Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 100.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 155.
Question No. 171 answered with Question No. 88.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 94.