Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for attending to take this important Topical Issue matter about rail capacity for Kildare commuters and, in particular, the need to expand that and future-proof rail services for Kildare citizens.

The Kildare route project aims to contribute to meeting future demand for rail transport by increasing the capacity and frequency of commuter trains on the Cork-Dublin railway line. Phase 1 of the project has been completed from Heuston Station to Hazelhatch. Phase 2 is to upgrade the track to four lanes as far as Kildare town, covering Sallins, Newbridge and Kildare town. Capacity is key. The ongoing road reconstruction and widening of the N7 is welcome but is causing carnage on the road because of the volume of traffic shoehorned into the two lanes. There will be plenty of cars to fill all three lanes on the Naas bypass when it is widened.

In the light of climate change, we need to continue moving to a more sustainable transport model. Many students in my constituency cannot afford rental accommodation in Dublin and must travel back and forth everyday. The quality of life for commuters is key. Demand from residents in Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin and Portarlington will continue to increase.

We want to ensure we have ease of access and frequency of service. In my supplementary question I will raise the cost for Newbridge residents compared with those living in Sallins because the short-hop zone only extends as far as Sallins, which needs to be revisited.

See this speech in context