James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister made a number of points in his reply. They are strong on rhetoric but they lack timelines or details. I am quite familiar with the issues because I have worked on the issue for a decade, long before I became a Deputy. I have tabled many parliamentary questions and some of the responses I received actually contradict the information in the Minister's speech. I hope that is a mistake or something that can be clarified.

For example, the Minister spoke about the long-term investment in the DART expansion. He spoke about the enhancement of the heavy rail system and, of course, he spoke about the electrification of the lines. These are all great things, but my understanding from replies to parliamentary questions issued from the Minister's office is that it takes a minimum of three years to buy an extra carriage. Are all these great things at least three years away or will they come somewhat sooner?

We have a crisis on the trains at the moment. I am also concerned that despite climate change and everything, people might turn away from the trains if something is not done soon, which would not be good.

I previously proposed to the Minister some practical changes that could be done more quickly. The carriages on the Kildare line are geared for day trips down the country and not for peak commuting, unlike DART and Luas carriages, which have standing room, hooks and handles. The trains on the Kildare line are more akin to the trains on which someone might spend a day journeying along the coast. They have seating, but not much room to stand.

A Luas shuttle from Heuston into town and back again would be very useful. It would allay some of the massive overcrowding we see as trains come into the station every morning.

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