Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Some 67 new carriages have entered service on the Dublin-Cork route at a cost to the Exchequer of €117 million.

A targeted investment in the development and enhancement of the Dublin suburban rail network has been ongoing since 1997 in recognition of the role played by rail in providing a real alternative to the use of the private car and tackling congestion and related environmental problems. The development of the Luas system at a cost of €718 million was a major achievement and success story in this regard. Both Luas lines have progressed from planning and statutory approval stages to construction and opening of the lines within this period. Some 25 million passengers were carried on the system during 2006, exceeding expectations and creating the cultural shift towards the attractiveness of rail-based systems which was a critical success factor in securing the commitment to the enhancement of suburban rail and Luas networks under Transport 21.

In addition, a range of incremental improvements in the DART and suburban rail systems have been effected, for the most part without significant disruption to services. Some 78 new DART carriages were delivered since November 2000 bringing the DART fleet up to a total of 156 units, just short of double the initial fleet of 80. The DART upgrade project was completed at an outturn cost of €174 million, making it the single largest investment in Iarnród Éireann's Dublin suburban rail services since introduction of DART in 1984, and completes a process which has seen peak capacity on the service doubled since 2000. In conjunction with the DART upgrade project, the DART refurbishment project provides for the complete mid-life overhaul of the original DART fleet of 76 units, allowing each set to be fully compatible with the rest of the DART fleet. While the refurbishment programme has been delayed due to difficulties with the contractors in achieving the planned programme for the works, the first eight of the refurbished cars have now been delivered.

In regard to other suburban services, incremental improvements in capacity and frequency have been introduced progressively in recent years largely due to Iarnród Éireann's rolling programme of commuter railcar acquisition. In total, 116 new commuter railcars have been introduced to the Iarnród Éireann fleet since 2002 at a cost of €179 million.

Investment has also been directed at improving facilities at railway stations and opening new stations such as at Monasterevin and the docklands. Facilities at stations have also been upgraded for passengers. This investment has rescued the rail network from a slow and terminal decline. The revitalised rail service is now carrying more passengers than ever before and is well placed, with the benefit of the investment by the Government to date and that to come under Transport 21, to grow and develop its passenger and freight business further. This is a record of which the Government is very proud.

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