Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy stated, DART+ represents the key current investment programme in commuter rail services in the greater Dublin area, and will likely be the largest ever investment in our rail network in the history of the State. It is important to set out what it will deliver. It will double the capacity of the network in the greater Dublin area; it will mean approximately 70% of all journeys on the entire national rail network will be on electrified track and it will enable sustainable, transport-orientated development at key locations along the network. These are all hugely ambitious and important outcomes and I know the Deputy recognises and welcomes the benefits DART+ will bring to the greater Dublin area, and I am glad that she supports it.

DART + has its origins in the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area, which sets out the geographic scope of the programme and the high-level strategic rationale. The development of transport strategies is a fundamentally important part of how we can improve transport in Ireland. They allow us develop an evidence-based and plan-led approach to transport infrastructure and transport services and, importantly, integrate with land-use planning to shape the location of housing and commercial development.

I think we can agree on two further points. First, we need to deliver on the strategies and not just develop them, and that means delivering the likes of DART+. Second, we need to keep requirements under review and, where necessary, consider whether additional projects and programmes are needed. That means we should push ahead with delivering DART+ as set out, while consulting people as is currently under way, and refining issues that may be raised during those consultations. We also need to think about whether additional projects and programmes might need to be considered, and that is where the review of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area and, indeed, the review of the national development plan, NDP, have a role to play.

I look forward to seeing DART+ progress and, likewise, I look forward to the review processes in respect of both the strategy and the NDP, where some of the additional measures that the Deputy has mentioned could be considered.

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