Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is acknowledged on page 38 of the programme for Government that this country's "national infrastructure compares poorly with the most advanced European countries". The programme contains a commitment to "increase capital investment in transport". The northern commuter line is operating at capacity. In the absence of a legal entitlement to family-friendly or variable working hours, it is no use telling people they can vary the times at which they travel to work. Large housing developments are planned in Lusk, Rush and Balbriggan. Will anything be done in the short term to increase capacity on the northern line? At present, it is full to capacity at peak times. I received reports this morning of people becoming unwell due to overcrowding on the trains. Additional carriages are needed in the short term. I accept that there is a plan, but that will not happen until 2027. We need additional capacity on the northern line in the short term.

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