Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 144: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will approve the business case for the Kildare Arrow route project; if not, when he will respond to Irish Rail; if funding is available to proceed with the project from 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7373/05]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 145: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered Irish Rail's plan to provide a DART service on the Maynooth suburban line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7375/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

Iarnród Éireann has submitted a business case to my Department for the development of a greater Dublin integrated rail network, aimed at meeting the projected demand for rail services in the area into the future. Included in the business case are proposals to: construct a new rail station in the city centre; provide an interconnector tunnel linking Heuston to the Docklands; provide a spur off the Maynooth line to the N3 beyond Dunboyne; double the track on a section of the Kildare line.

The proposal includes plans to electrify the Maynooth line. This would allow DART type trains to operate on that line. The Iarnród Éireann proposed integrated rail network plan is being assessed by my Department and I expect to respond to the company in the context of the ten-year transport investment framework that is being finalised at present.