Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

The additional trains are all both welcome and full. When a major investment was made in Spencer Dock, the expectation was that this service would extend as far as Maynooth, as north County Kildare is regarded as being in the heart of the commuter belt. However, the service will only operate from Clonsilla inwards although the capacity exists to go as far as Maynooth. This would offer an alternative service for those who wish to travel to the financial services district instead of across the city. At present I believe the preferred route for most users is still to travel across the city beyond Connolly Station.

Iarnród Éireann gave people in Maynooth and north County Kildare the impression that a new service would be on offer. However, this is not the case and it is not sufficient to assert that this is an operational matter as a significant investment has been made in this regard. Does the Minister agree that such a choice should be offered to the maximum number of people? There was an expectation in this regard. As my question noted, new parking has been provided in Leixlip at a substantial cost to the State.

In respect of the Kildare route project, the irony is that little of it pertains to County Kildare as nearly all of it is located in west Dublin. While a much better service will be offered from Hazelhatch Station inwards, a similar level of service will not be offered to rapidly expanding locations beyond Hazelhatch, such as Sallins or Naas. It is expected that the service to such stations will be inferior to that at stations from Celbridge inwards.

Something like a high-specification train service is required to offer people a real choice. Were feasibility studies or costings carried out in respect of extending the Kildare route project as far as Newbridge? Although this certainly constituted part of the original plans, obviously it was chopped due to funding limitations. Even after the completion of Transport 21, Kilcock, which resembles a town under construction, will still have a single line running from it to Maynooth. In the context of strategic planning — this will be delivered in ten years' time — does the Minister agree that such locations should be factored in at present and that Iarnród Éireann should be working to deliver them? After all, the interconnector is not due to be delivered for another ten years or so. There does not appear to be a long-term strategy. This appears to be a reaction to what is there at present, rather than taking a long-term view.

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