Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Transport when the 120 new rail carriages that have been ordered by Iarnród Éireann will be operating on the rail system; the precise routes these carriages will serve; when the new hourly services between Dublin and Cork and Dublin and Limerick will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9681/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from Iarnród Éireann that 120 new intercity railcars, ordered at the end of 2004, will begin entering service in 2007. The railcars will operate on the Dublin-Westport-Ballina, Dublin-Galway, Dublin-Tralee, Dublin-Waterford and Dublin-Limerick-Ennis routes. Their introduction into service will allow Iarnród Éireann to provide hourly services on the Dublin-Limerick route with a mix of direct and shuttle services to connect with Cork trains.

With the introduction into service of 67 new carriages later this year, which are additional to the 120 I have just mentioned, Iarnród Éireann expects to begin hourly services on the Dublin-Cork route before the end of this year.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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What other additions to the fleet are proposed? Are there other additions in the pipeline for the remainder of this year and into next year or is that the end of the current allocation?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The current order is the largest ever placed. I do not have any plans before me for further orders this year. The major event this year will be getting the 67 new carriages into service on the Dublin-Cork route. That is Iarnród Éireann's priority, along with getting the other order on stream. When this order has been completed in 2007-08, the rail fleet in Ireland will be the most modern in Europe. That is a dramatic transformation from recent times.

The intention is to upscale continually. The fleet will deal with all the main intercity routes. For example, the Dublin-Cork service will be hourly all day, Dublin-Limerick will be hourly with a mix of some trains connecting with the Cork service, Galway will be hourly at peak times and two-hourly off-peak, Waterford will be every two hours all day, Sligo will be every two hours all day, and Westport will have existing services plus additional shuttle services between Athlone and Westport to connect with the Galway services.

My understanding is that Iarnród Éireann wants to sort out all the main intercity services. There will be other investment in rail facilities into Dublin. When the ten-year framework is announced shortly, it will be indicative in that regard.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Will the new rail carriages be larger than the existing ones? Currently, at peak times, particularly on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Limerick routes, there is standing room only. This is so at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Will Iarnród Éireann increase the number of carriages or will the carriages be larger? How old is the existing intercity fleet? Have these carriages passed their sell-by date and, if so, will that rolling stock be sold to another country?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Many of them are very old. I do not have the specific technical details to hand. I agree with the Deputy, however, that it is unacceptable for passengers to have to stand while travelling on a modern public transport system. The purpose of introducing the new carriages is to remove that problem. I do not have statistics for the capacity per coach but the new stock will represent a major improvement in services, including hourly and two-hourly departures to and from all major cities. There is no question but that we will overcome the unfortunate position whereby some people have had to stand on long journeys.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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It is important to recognise the progress that has been made on the railway services, including the rail lines and rolling stock. Is there a programme to replace mainline stations? Waterford, in particular, requires upgrading fairly quickly and some other stations are in poor condition.

The Minister referred to his public transport plan, which we all await, but has he brought it to the Cabinet sub-committee? He said he was going to do so in early March. Has he received Cabinet approval for the plan? When does he expect to announce details of the plan?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The query concerning railway stations is probably outside the scope of this question.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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We have just completed a €100 million upgrade of Connolly Station but the Deputy is correct in stating that a number of stations throughout the country are in need of refurbishment. Planning is ongoing within Iarnród Éireann to upgrade such stations. It is only right because people should have a good experience in using public transport — not just the vehicles but also the facilities with which they interact. The investment programme will continue. I subscribe fully to the Deputy's views on Waterford Station which badly needs upgrading.

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Let us deal with Dublin first.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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What about the public transport plan?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I brought the broad outline of the plan to the Cabinet sub-committee where it was discussed. I have not gone back to Cabinet with it but I plan to do so soon.