Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Transport the exact proposed location of the Spencer Dock station; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new location suggested in recent press releases is some 100 metres distant from both the proposed extension to the Luas line and from the pedestrian footbridge to the south side of the River Liffey; if the final location which is to the north of Sheriff Street is an absolute location or if he proposes to move it closer to the north quays, thus making it far more usable by intending passengers. [11243/06]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Transport, with regard to the new Spencer Dock station, the railway lines it is proposed to be integrated with; the other public transport lines it is proposed it will be integrated with; if it will be integrated in the short term with the Drogheda, Drumcondra, Phoenix Park tunnel, Heuston, Maynooth lines; if the proposed station will be used initially for the proposed re-opened Dunboyne to Dublin line; when it is expected that the Dunboyne line will be re-opened; and when the Spencer Dock line will come into service. [11244/06]

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

The new railway station to be constructed by Irish Rail in the docklands will be located on the north side of Sheriff Street and adjacent to the east side of the Royal Canal. This is the site for which Irish Rail has lodged a planning application with Dublin City Council. The station will be conveniently accessed from the Luas stop at Spencer Dock on the proposed Luas extension from Connolly Station. The distance from the new station to the Luas stop is approximately 350m, a similar distance to that between Connolly DART platforms and the Connolly Luas stop. The station will be approximately 800m from the new pedestrian footbridge across the Liffey and approximately 400m from the proposed new Macken Street road bridge. I understand Irish Rail and the RPA are in discussion to ensure optimum integration between Luas and commuter rail services.

The station will connect to the existing line to Maynooth and deliver additional train paths per direction per hour in the critical city centre area. The proposed Clonsilla to Dunboyne line is expected to be reopened in 2009 and, at that point, all services from Dunboyne will also serve the docklands station, via the connection to the Maynooth line. The Docklands station will increase capacity on the Maynooth line and serve the proposed Dunboyne line.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals to provide Iarnród Éireann with double decker trains, as are available in many European countries, particularly with a view to increasing service capacity on the Clonsilla railway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11289/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Iarnród Éireann will continue to examine all options for increasing capacity across the suburban rail network. At present, the company has no proposals for the provision of double decker trains on the line serving Clonsilla or elsewhere on the railway network. Capacity on the Maynooth line, which serves Clonsilla, has increased in recent years with the provision of additional rolling stock and the upgrade of the Maynooth line.

The recently announced docklands station will provide additional capacity on the Maynooth line. The proposed city centre resignalling project will also give Iarnród Éireann flexibility to increase capacity and frequency on the suburban rail network, including on the Maynooth line. This investment means additional train paths per direction per hour in the critical city centre area.