Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of plans to upgrade the Dublin to Rosslare rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9272/25]

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I wish the Minister of State well in his role and welcome his commitment to investment in rail transport. I ask about the Dublin to Rosslare rail line specifically, in which there has been a lack of investment. If we are talking about providing a realistic alternative for rail users, there must be real investment in this railway line. In light of the Minister's previous comments about investment in rail, will the Minister of State outline what he plans to do with this much-forgotten service?

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As the Deputy may be aware, a number of significant improvements are planned across Ireland's rail network over the coming years, including on the Dublin to Rosslare line. Last year, some changes to timetables on the line were introduced, including a new late evening service between Wexford and Gorey. I look forward to similar such timetable improvements bring introduced in the coming years. My Department is also working to pursue the recommendations in the all-island strategic rail review, including an increase in services between Wexford and Rosslare to at least one train every two hours by 2030.

As part of the DART+ programme, specifically the DART+ coastal south project, it is planned to increase service frequency between the Bray and Greystones portion of the Rosslare line from approximately every 30 minutes in each direction to every 20 minutes. Work is ongoing by larnród Eireann and the NTA to investigate the best way to achieve this frequency improvement, including any infrastructure needs, and it is currently anticipated that it can be delivered by around 2028. Furthermore, the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, adopted in 2023, included a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages which are currently arriving in Ireland and undergoing testing.

The new battery-electric DART carriages will first be deployed from Dublin to Drogheda next year. As more carriages arrive, it may be feasible to also deploy them to extend DART services to and from Wicklow, subject to funding and approvals for the required charging infrastructure. The NTA is examining this issue with a view to progressing the extension around 2029. This could increase service frequency along that portion of the Rosslare to Dublin line from circa six trains a day each way to up to one train every hour.

Overall, these plans offer the potential for a much higher level of train service on the Dublin to Rosslare line, which I look forward to progressing.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I love how the Minister of State described as a significant changes the addition of one "late evening service", as he described it.

The late evening service left 45 minutes ago so I cannot avail of it. I am not sure what time the Minister of State regards as late evening. He mentioned the six services available to people I represent in Rathdrum, Arklow and Gorey. Equidistant from Dublin is Carlow, represented ably by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, from which there are 11 services daily. Commuters travelling from Dundalk have 16 services while those coming from Portlaoise, equidistant from Dublin with Arklow or Gorey, have 32 services. I do not believe six daily services, in competition with a clogged-up M11, could be regarded as significant investment.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I hear the Deputy's frustration when he suggests there should be better and more frequent services. This is where the all-island rail review comes into focus. Improvements in the line to Wexford and Rosslare are part of the overall plan. Some of the infrastructural investment that has to go in will be a challenge, considering where the line is and the infrastructure that will be required. It is important we have connectivity to the regions, including Wexford and Rosslare, and to have it equal to every other part of the country. It will take time but it is something we are looking at. We need more improvements and more infrastructure and the all-Ireland rail review sets out the pathway by which we do that. We will also be looking at the national development plan to ensure we have the funding to do it.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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With respect, the only thing being suggested is forcing commuters to change in Wicklow or Greystones. If they are on a train early in the morning and it is wet and cold, commuters from Gorey, Arklow or Rathdrum to the city are expected to change trains. It is not acceptable. The Minister of State needs to be talking about a significant investment.

There is discussion as part of the all-island rail review of doubling the number of tracks between Dublin and Belfast to four. I welcome and support that. We ask for the same doubling of the number of tracks, simply from one to two, so more services are available. The M11 is completely clogged up and if we are going to provide an alternative, we need serious investment.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Byrne has brought up the issue of the Dublin to Belfast rail line and we want to see the four-track solution. I brought up previously, including last week, the issue of capacity on the Enterprise service from Dublin to Belfast. Anybody getting on, particularly at peak times, talks about it being incredibly uncomfortable and there not being enough space. We need greater capacity in the sense of a greater number of carriages or whatever. Even when people have booked tickets, they cannot necessarily get their seat. It has become a real issue for many in my constituency, particularly in Dundalk. Could something be looked at?

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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We are on the same wavelength here. We need proper investment and to deliver infrastructure that suits people's demands.

On the Dublin-Belfast issue, the popularity of the train service has created additional demand. That is a good thing. It means it is working. We have to keep it working right across the country and put investment into it. We also have to provide a good passenger experience to retain long-term customers. We need to invest a lot of money in bringing the rail network up to a standard that will attract more people to it. We have to provide carriages, rail infrastructure and passing loops and to increase the number of rail lines we have. That is all to be done. It is in the all-island rail review. It is a big challenge but if we are to provide services, take cars off the road and so on, this is the way to do it.