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Rail Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018

Thursday, 15 February 2018

Ceisteanna (267, 268)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the electrification of the rail service from Dublin to Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock and Enfield and if feasible further afield; if this is incorporated in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8004/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the electrification of the rail service from Dublin to Hazelhatch, Sallins, Newbridge and Kildare and if feasible further afield; if this is incorporated in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

Investing in public transport as a whole is a key priority for the future.  As the Deputy is aware, the Government's new 10-year National Development Plan (NDP) will be published shortly. It will prioritise key investment actions to progress new key capital transport programmes and projects over the period to 2027 and that will be subject to the relevant appraisal processes and value for money tests as required under the Public Spending Code. In line with the recommendations of my Department's 2015 Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport, a continuing key priority for investment in transport under the NDP will be to protect the quality and value of the existing extensive rail networks, including the areas referenced by the Deputy, to ensure quality levels of service, accessibility and connectivity. Prioritisation of this type of investment is also a key finding of a recent Public Investment Management Assessment which was conducted by the International Monetary Fund at the invitation of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. 

The National Transport Authority's (NTA) “Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035” provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades.  The DART Expansion Programme which is a cornerstone project of the strategy, seeks to progress a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected to provide fast, high-frequency electrified services to Drogheda on the Northern Line, Celbridge/Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line, Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line, while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones. While it currently does not envisage electrification of existing rail services beyond these destinations, it is subject to review in 2021.

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