Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to deal with the serious overcrowding on commuter trains from Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Sallins and Hazelhatch stations enroute to and from the capital; his views on the serious disincentive this represents to encouraging passengers onto rail transport, as well as a potential health and safety risk; the steps he will take to ensure an increased capacity and frequency in respect of trains using the stations concerned with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36273/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the need to address the issues of serious overcrowding on commuter trains to and from north Kildare; if he has given instructions to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36274/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

No domestic or EU regulations govern the number of passengers that can be carried on an individual railway carriage. However, I expect the railway safety Bill to be enacted before year-end, and the Railway Safety Commission will then have power to make regulations in this area. Iarnród Éireann has indicated the issue of crowding is one of discomfort and inconvenience, rather than a safety concern and this view is in line with the consensus in the railway industry worldwide. A significant increase in rail capacity has been provided in recent years in the areas referred to by the Deputy and Transport 21 identifies projects which will further enhance services on these lines. Iarnród Éireann will shortly begin the construction of a new railway station in the Dublin docklands, which will facilitate an increase in services on the Maynooth line while the Kildare route project is the subject of a railway order procedure. The company also proposes to expand its suburban rolling stock to meet the demands on all routes into Dublin.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received requests for or given permission to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann for the augmentation of a dedicated shuttle bus service to rail stations at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Hazelhatch, Sallins, Newbridge and Kildare with a view to alleviating road traffic congestion and providing an efficient and effective alternative with the objective of achieving maximum capacity at all stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36275/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The day-to-day operation of bus services by Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann is a matter for the individual companies. However, since 10 January 2001 both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann are required by ministerial direction to notify my Department of proposed new services or proposed changes to existing services at least four weeks prior to their introduction. My Department has not received any notification from Bus Átha Cliath or Bus Éireann for shuttle bus services to the rail stations mentioned. However, such notification would be looked at favourably by my Department, subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirements and with the provisions of section 25 of the Transport Act 1958, concerning competition with licensed private operators.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of daily commuters using the rail stations at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Monasterevin, Kildare, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazelhatch; the extent to which this can be increased with immediate effect with a view to meeting modern commuter requirements arising from population increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36276/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by Iarnród Éireann that the number of commuters using rail services through these stations is 5,000 each morning. This has increased considerably over recent years, as rail services have been improved and population has increased. The company has also informed me that it proposes to introduce additional services on the introduction of their new timetable in December. These will provide the opportunity for more than 2,000 additional commuters to use its services daily on the Maynooth line. Enhancements will also be introduced to Kildare line services at that time further increasing capacity along that line. Plans under Transport 21 provide for major upgrades of service along these two lines, increasing service frequency and capacity to DART-like standards. Detailed delivery plans including timescales are currently being prepared by Iarnród Éireann and it is anticipated that there will be another significant increase in capacity in 2007 on the delivery of more units of rolling stock.