Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 November 2019
188. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the purchasing of additional rail carriages for Iarnród Éireann; and the date by which he expects these carriages to be delivered. [45730/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I announced last week Government's approval for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the proposed purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars to increase capacity across the Greater Dublin Area rail network.
This project, which will increase capacity by around 34% on the Kildare, Maynooth and Northern lines in the morning peak time, will cost approximately €150 million and the first of the carriages are expected to commence entry into service by end 2021.
Obviously, expenditure of this nature involving the investment of considerable taxpayer resources, must comply with the Public Spending Code which sets out the roles and responsibilities of public authorities in relation to public expenditure generally. For this project, Iarnród Éireann is the Sponsoring Agency and the National Transport Authority (NTA) exercises the role of the Sanctioning Authority.
Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy question to the NTA for further details and direct reply on the specific issues raised. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
