Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason trains servicing the new Spencer Dock Station are terminating at Clonsilla in view of the significant demand that exists at stations further along the line at Maynooth, Leixlip Confey and Leixlip Louisa Bridge, the latter having recently had a parking facilities upgrade; the reason the double tracking of the Kildare line to Sallins and Newbridge was not included in Transport 21, in view of the considerable increase in service demand over recent years that is set to continue into the future; if the provision of commuter services to Kildare users will be placed on an equal footing with those provided to Dublin users, in view of the expansion of the Dublin commuter area in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13140/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of improved rail services to commuters in Kildare is an integral part of the upgrading of rail services in the greater Dublin area and is one of the important elements of Transport 21. The operation and timetabling of services is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. However, I have been informed by the company that the new and additional services operating between Clonsilla and docklands on the Maynooth line are designed both to provide additional services on the Clonsilla to docklands section to meet growing needs in that catchment area and to relieve pressure on the services serving beyond Clonsilla.

Iarnród Éireann considers that the services now operating on the Maynooth line, including the additional services between Clonsilla and docklands, represent the optimal use of the railway resources for the benefit of its passengers in Dublin and Kildare. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are now 35 services each way per day serving between Maynooth, Connolly and Pearse stations, as well as 15 services each way per day, including four peak hour services, serving between Clonsilla and docklands stations.

As for the Kildare line, the priority at present is to complete the Kildare route upgrade project. This project, which involves four-tracking a section of track between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch, will enable the separation of long distance and commuter services, thus reducing travel times and offering operational flexibility to increase the amount of services provided. As part of that project, stations are to be upgraded and parking capacity increased. I understand that Iarnród Éireann intends to place contracts for the main construction work in April and June this year.

Iarnród Éireann has advised me that the position regarding the four-tracking of the Kildare line beyond Hazelhatch will be reviewed when planning on the interconnector project is further advanced. In the meantime, Iarnród Éireann has agreed with Kildare County Council to provide in the latter's development plan for future four-tracking, should demand warrant it.

Kildare commuter services have already benefitted from major investment in recent years. Capacity on the Kildare route has increased by 160% through the provision of turn-back facilities at Newbridge, the extension of platforms at Sallins and Hazelhatch and the introduction of new rolling stock as part of the increased investment in public transport under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Capacity on the Maynooth line has been more than trebled in the last five years due to the doubling of the track, resignalling and the upgrading of stations and crossings.

Both lines have also benefited from investment in rolling stock such as the acquisition between 2002 and 2003 of 80 commuter railcars and the more recent entry into service in late 2005 of an additional 36 commuter railcars. The introduction of a fleet of modern intercity railcars to be delivered in the period 2007 to 2009 will release commuter railcars currently being used on intercity routes such as Sligo to Dublin and Rosslare to Dublin for use on the Maynooth line, among others.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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The additional trains are all both welcome and full. When a major investment was made in Spencer Dock, the expectation was that this service would extend as far as Maynooth, as north County Kildare is regarded as being in the heart of the commuter belt. However, the service will only operate from Clonsilla inwards although the capacity exists to go as far as Maynooth. This would offer an alternative service for those who wish to travel to the financial services district instead of across the city. At present I believe the preferred route for most users is still to travel across the city beyond Connolly Station.

Iarnród Éireann gave people in Maynooth and north County Kildare the impression that a new service would be on offer. However, this is not the case and it is not sufficient to assert that this is an operational matter as a significant investment has been made in this regard. Does the Minister agree that such a choice should be offered to the maximum number of people? There was an expectation in this regard. As my question noted, new parking has been provided in Leixlip at a substantial cost to the State.

In respect of the Kildare route project, the irony is that little of it pertains to County Kildare as nearly all of it is located in west Dublin. While a much better service will be offered from Hazelhatch Station inwards, a similar level of service will not be offered to rapidly expanding locations beyond Hazelhatch, such as Sallins or Naas. It is expected that the service to such stations will be inferior to that at stations from Celbridge inwards.

Something like a high-specification train service is required to offer people a real choice. Were feasibility studies or costings carried out in respect of extending the Kildare route project as far as Newbridge? Although this certainly constituted part of the original plans, obviously it was chopped due to funding limitations. Even after the completion of Transport 21, Kilcock, which resembles a town under construction, will still have a single line running from it to Maynooth. In the context of strategic planning — this will be delivered in ten years' time — does the Minister agree that such locations should be factored in at present and that Iarnród Éireann should be working to deliver them? After all, the interconnector is not due to be delivered for another ten years or so. There does not appear to be a long-term strategy. This appears to be a reaction to what is there at present, rather than taking a long-term view.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A total of 15 new services now operate each day on the Maynooth-Connolly-Pearse line. That is in addition to the 30 original services operating on that line. Services have increased by over 60% in the past few years on that line. The investment in the budget this year in public transport is over €777 million. The investment cannot all be made in just one area. However, the investment in that route has been substantial. The new Docklands Station has opened, which is a tremendous benefit not only for Dublin, but in terms of accessibility to Dublin. It serves Clonsilla, Coolmine, Castleknock, Ashtown and Broombridge stations. It is a significant addition in terms of capacity and stopping range that is being provided for customers by Iarnród Éireann.

There have been discussions between Kildare County Council and Iarnród Éireann and the development plan being prepared makes provision for future four tracking should demand warrant it. The important issue now, however, is to complete the projects that are outlined. The Kildare route project is under way. That project is important for the Deputy's constituents but it is equally important for the overall reconfiguration and integration of public transport and the different modes of transport that will be provided under Transport 21. Most of those projects are under way or at some level of development at this point. The investment in the Deputy's constituency is hugely significant in the context of the overall budget for Transport 21.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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The Minister said there is a service from Maynooth to the Docklands Station but the service is only from Clonsilla. There is no service from Maynooth to Docklands Station, unless one gets off the train at Clonsilla and waits for the train for Docklands. That makes no sense. Is the Minister aware that, according to the census figures published last week, Kildare is now the fourth most populated county in the country? It is at the heart of the commuter belt. Is the Minister aware of the level of usage of trains? I accept that trains have been provided but at peak times the train is called the Calcutta express. That is what it resembles. There is a high level of use, which is welcome, but does the Minister not accept that it is wrong to provide a new station and not provide a service to that station from a location where there is a clear demand for it, particularly when there is the ability to do so?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The level of investment demonstrates that we recognise there is a huge issue in terms of the commuter belt and the growing population there. The addition of the Docklands Station means there are an extra four trains at peak times, which cater for an extra 2,500 commuters. That figure can be improved in the future to 10,000 extra commuters at peak times. The expansion of the population in the Deputy's constituency is the reason we are making this substantial investment.

In fairness to Iarnród Éireann, it started the new railway station last year and completed it within a year. That was a great achievement and demonstrates the company's commitment. Furthermore, the Phoenix Park station will open towards the end of this year. It will be an additional stop to benefit that route.