Mr. Jim Meade:

Certainly we have had representations, particularly from the residents of Howth, about having a shuttle or a direct service. As we maximise the availability of services and maximise the capacity of that corridor, we get more capacity by not going across Howth Junction. Once you cross over the lines, if trains are crossing back and forth they are blocking other trains coming through. That will not happen until the early 2030s, if it happens. It is still very much in the planning stage. No matter what we do, there will always be a facility to go directly to Howth. There is no proposal to take that out in any shape or form. Certainly at weekends, for events and during tourist time we can still go direct to Howth but for the morning peak in and the evening peak out, we will get more capacity across the lines by going direct. We are looking at Howth Junction itself. We need to revisit that station. If we were doing it again, we would not do it that way. That is the honest answer. We will be looking at that station and how we can enhance safety, access and egress, and security. That will be looked at before we make any changes.