Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the use of the Phoenix Park rail tunnel as an interim measure to increase rail capacity into the city centre; if he has had discussions with Irish Rail in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21948/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Phoenix Park Tunnel is an existing railway line connecting Heuston Station with Connolly Station and North Wall Freight Yard. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that 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 e.g. football and hurling All Ireland finals when trains from Cork and Kerry go direct to Connolly Station.

The railway line is not used for commuter services from the South West or as a commuter link between Heuston Station and Connolly Station because it would not be possible to accommodate additional peak train services into Connolly Station. The lines into and out of Connolly Station are 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 Station and Connolly Station are provided by LUAS and Dublin Bus services.

Iarnród Éireann regards the Interconnector tunnel as the best option for providing additional cross city capacity. Approval has been granted for design development for the InterConnector alignment and its proposed station locations and layouts. This is expected to be completed in mid 2007.

The new city centre rail station being constructed in the Docklands area will provide additional capacity on the Maynooth line, pending the construction of the proposed Interconnector tunnel.