Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this matter this evening and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, for his attendance. I appreciate it. The DART+ West project was touted as the first of the projects of the broader DART+ programmes that would be delivered. It is a much-needed rail line improvement. It is an important project for north Kildare in that it would provide a sustainable and enhanced rail service for users. The project between Hazelhatch and Heuston is expected to increase hourly traffic from 5,000 to 20,000 commuters alone. Kildare commuters have the second longest commute in the State. It is hoped that the project will improve capacity on the Maynooth and M3 Parkway lines into Dublin's existing and to-be-expanded DART network. The DART+ West network applied to An Bord Pleanála for a railway order in July 2022. Since its inception, communities in Kilcock and Sallins have campaigned for the inclusion of their towns in the first phase of this roll-out, because it makes no financial or engineering sense to bring these services as far as Maynooth, Hazelhatch and Celbridge without going that extra little bit to Kilcock and Sallins and Naas. I am sure Deputy Ó Fearghaíl would say to bring it to Newbridge while we are at it.

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