Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 783: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the state of the rail line currently running from Heuston Station, Dublin, through a tunnel under Phoenix Park and over ground through Cabra, Glasnevin and onwards to Connolly Station and the Docklands area; the time and funding that would be necessary to rehabilitate this line in order to put it into use as an urban rail or tram link between Heuston Station and the Docklands areas; if his Department has investigated such a possibility or mandated any organisation to investigate this possibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24846/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There is an existing railway line connecting Heuston with Connolly and North Wall freight yard. The line is in good condition and is in regular use for freight services and transfer of rolling stock. The line is also occasionally used for passenger trains for major sporting events at Croke Park, for example, the recent football and hurling All Ireland finals when trains from Cork and Kerry went directly to Connolly Station.

The railway line is not used for commuter services from the south west or as a commuter link between Heuston and Connolly because it is not be possible to accommodate additional peak train services into Connolly. The line between Connolly and Pearse is already at full capacity and any additional capacity created in the future will be needed to cater for growth on the DART, northern suburban and Maynooth lines. Connections between Heuston and Connolly are provided by Luas and Dublin Bus services and the RPA is currently preparing an application for a railway order in respect of an extension of the Luas line into the Docklands.

Iarnród Éireann is currently examining options for a new station in the Docklands area which would provide additional capacity on the Maynooth line pending the construction of the proposed interconnector tunnel. Iarnród Éireann regards the interconnector tunnel as the best option for providing additional cross-city capacity.

The company's proposals relating to the interconnector are being examined in the context of the multi-annual investment framework for transport, which is being prepared by my Department at present.