Kate Walsh (Progressive Democrats)
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I would like to ask the Minister of State for an update on the project to install double tracking on the Kildare line. Have any provisions been made for car parking at Hazelhatch Station?

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the House on this important issue. I am pleased to say I have some good news. Major increases in capacity are being planned by Irish Rail along a number of lines, in particular the Dublin-Kildare rail corridor. Originally Irish Rail's ability to meet growing demand along this very busy route was limited by platform capacity at Heuston Station, and track capacity and platform lengths along the line. The Heuston redevelopment project, completed early this year, involved increasing the number of platforms from five to nine, upgrading the signalling system and increasing the station's capacity to accommodate additional mainline and commuter trains. This project cost €107 million.

In 2003 and 2004, Irish Rail also took delivery of 80 new diesel railcars, many of which are currently deployed along the Kildare corridor with an increase in capacity of 130%. A further 36 are due to be delivered in 2005 and will go into service in December of that year. These will also be used to extend capacity on the Kildare corridor. Track capacity along the Kildare corridor has been, and still is, limited for a number of reasons. These include the fact that the line is only double-tracked; the different speed characteristics of the intercity and commuter trains using the route; the length of platforms at some intermediate stations; and the lack of a turn-back facility.

Irish Rail has addressed some of these constraints already. Platform extensions at Sallins, Newbridge and Hazelhatch have been completed this year along with the turn-back facility at Newbridge. These new arrangements allow Irish Rail to accommodate longer trains and achieve a quicker turnaround of commuter trains without conflicting with intercity services.

The next step is to quadruple the Kildare rail line as far as Hazelhatch. My Department has recently received a business case together with a socio-economic cost benefit analysis of the proposed project from Irish Rail. The anticipated cost is approximately €400 million. I also met representatives of Iarnród Éireann to discuss this among other topics and the case is being pushed. My officials will now carry out a detailed examination of the proposals and make a recommendation to me.

The project involves the quadrupling of a critical section of track between Inchicore and Hazelhatch. This will separate intercity and outer suburban rail services to meet the growing requirements of both commuter and intercity business, and the provision of a number of new and relocated stations to maximise local accessibility to rail services. Following Government consideration of the proposal, the next stage involves the submission of a draft railway order by Irish Rail and associated documentation, such as the environmental impact statement. It is expected that a public inquiry into the proposal will be held during 2005.

Hazelhatch Station will be upgraded as part of the overall Kildare route project. Plans for the station include a new entrance off a new link road from Elmhall to the Celbridge side of the station, incorporating a roundabout; and a park and ride facility with 396 car parking spaces, incorporating taxi rank, three bus lay-bys and bus and cycle shelters. The station building will be revamped to be fully manned and will have improved customer waiting areas, toilets and high quality customer services. Substantial changes for the better are planned for this important station. I will work with my officials and the service providers to drive this project forward.

Kate Walsh (Progressive Democrats)
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This is good news for Celbridge and the surrounding area.