I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that they began placing into service this week the first batch of 76 new diesel railcars for operation within the greater Dublin area. All the railcars are expected to be in service by the end of the year. For Maynooth-Longford commuter services the capacity of trains in the peak hours will increase by about 26%. This follows a doubling of capacity on the line in 2001. Irish Rail are developing plans to expand the capacity of the signalling system in the city centre area but no proposals have yet been submitted to my Department.