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

The Government is committed to improving public transport, as I have just said, both bus and rail, and is backing up that commitment with significant investments across the network. There are investment plans for the northern commuter line, serving both Drogheda and Dundalk, which should improve the experience of passengers in the coming years. These improvements include the introduction next year of 41 new ICR units onto the fleet; the arrival of the new DART+ fleet and its likely entry into service by 2025; and the proposed replacement of the entire Enterprise fleet. These improvements will have short-, medium- and longer-term benefits to northern line passengers through the possibilities offered by the new ICR units to lengthen existing trainsets and cascades fleet across the network. We can also enhance DART+ services to Drogheda, potentially alleviating capacity on other services. We also intend, as I said, intend expanding service level and frequency on the Dublin to Belfast line with the new Enterprise fleet. Each of these investments is significant in its own right and, collectively, they represent a massive investment in the rail network along the northern line. The Deputy is correct to highlight that on limited parts of the network there are conflicts between enhanced service levels on commuter and intercity routes. The northern line is one such example where the Enterprise must share the line with a very popular and expanding commuter service. The draft strategic rail review recognised this issue and has recommended better segregation of intercity services from commuter services where possible. In considering the northern line, the review notes that there are a number of constraints along the line in relation to potential four-tracking and recommends further investigation. I can confirm that Iarnróid Éireann has received EU funding to support that further investigation; however, to be clear, it is a long-term project. I look forward to working with the Deputy in delivering improved transport services for the north east. Very much within that prioritisation that we have to do, the enhanced development of our rail services is one of the best investments we could make.

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