Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 95, 132, 157, 171, 344, 354 and 360 together.

Iarnród Éireann has submitted a business case to my Department for the development of a greater Dublin integrated rail network, the aim of which is to meet the projected demand for rail services in the area into the future. The business case includes proposals to construct a new rail station in the city centre, provide an interconnector tunnel linking Heuston to the docklands, provide a spur off the Maynooth line to the N3 beyond Dunboyne and expand the capacity of the DART.

My Department is assessing the Iarnród Éireann proposed integrated rail network plan and I expect to respond to the company in the context of the ten year transport investment framework being finalised in my Department at present. In the meantime, Iarnród Éireann has undertaken preparatory work on some of the projects in the integrated plan.

Phase 2 of the DART upgrade project, to commence later this year and be completed by 2007, involves an upgrade of signalling in the city centre that will result in additional train paths across the loop line bridge and help alleviate existing congestion.

The company in consultation with Meath and Fingal County Councils has just completed a feasibility study into the possibility of providing a spur off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla to a point off the N3 beyond Dunboyne. While there are no plans at present to extend this line to Navan, the provision of a park and ride site near the N3 to cater for Navan traffic is being considered. It is now a matter in the next instance for Iarnród Éireann to decide how it wishes to proceed with this proposal.

The current technical constraints at Connolly Station mean it is essential that a new station is built in the city centre before the proposed Dunboyne spur is operational or before the additional city centre capacity required for Maynooth and Sligo services can be provided. While the Maynooth service has improved significantly in recent years, following the dualling of the track and the introduction of new rolling stock, projected future demand can only be met by provision of this new station, which would alleviate the current technical constraints and enable increased capacity to be provided.

Iarnród Éireann is examining suitable sites for locating the new station. I have provided €5 million this year for this project and expect a report on progress shortly.

See this speech in context