Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

There is a need for the Minister for Transport to sign the railway order for the Kildare route project. The Minister announced the route in August, which I took to mean that he would sign the order immediately. A week ago, I enquired at what stage works were because I am anxious that they proceed. I discovered that Iarnród Éireann was waiting for the order to be signed before starting the significant infrastructure works.

The Kildare route project will be beneficial to the constituency in which I live, including the area of Lucan and Clondalkin, but will also be of benefit to the country. It will improve the intercity service, including the Dublin to Cork train. Those in north Kildare, Lucan, Clondalkin, Heuston Station and beyond will also benefit. This has been on the table since at least 2000. As a councillor, I was presented with plans for the project and told the completion date was 2005. There is no reason why it has not gone ahead in the past nine years the Government has been in power. The infrastructure exists and must be improved to allow greater capacity for trains and new stations in Lucan, Clondalkin and Parkwest. This work should not be put off any longer. The Minister should sign the order. I hope the Minister of State's reply will confirm that is what he intends to do.