Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Transport the changes proposed to upgrade the Kildare to Dublin line to improve the timetable for commuters in the Kildare and Newbridge catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/04]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question on 7 October 2004. I understand that Irish Rail is finalising specific proposals for the Kildare route project which involve a doubling of the existing capacity on the line by separating suburban from intercity services. This project will be submitted to my Department shortly for approval. The project will also require a railway order to be made before any works can commence, in accordance with the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001.

In the interim, Irish Rail informs me that it has been increasing the frequency and capacity of commuter services on the Kildare and Newbridge corridors over recent years. In the most recent timetable of December 2003, additional services and longer trains were included, which has almost doubled commuter capacity on the route. Future capacity increases are constrained by track capacity on this busy section of track, which has to cater for both fast long distance services and slower commuter services on the same pair of tracks.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the upgrading of the Waterford to Dublin line; the improvements that the upgrading is expected to achieve; if this improvement to the infrastructure will mean that the Arrow service will be able to be extended to Athy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24478/04]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by Irish Rail that the renewal of track and signalling on the Waterford to Dublin line was completed earlier this year. This has laid an excellent foundation to further enhance service levels on the route including commuter services from Athy and Carlow. As a first step in this enhancement strategy, from December 2004 there will be an additional service from Heuston to Carlow, servicing Athy, leaving Dublin at 7.45 p.m. In addition, in recent days Irish Rail has submitted proposals to my Department for funding for the purchase of a fleet of 120 intercity railcars to operate on its intercity network. These proposals will now be considered.