Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to deal with the excessive overcrowding at peak times on the northern Drogheda-Connolly rail line; the service and safety standards set down by his Department in relation to overcrowding on rail carriages; the measures he has taken to ensure that Iarnród Éireann complies with these; and the amount of funding provided to Iarnród Éireann in the Estimates 2007 to alleviate this problem. [42438/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The day to day operation of railway services is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann however that train services on the Drogheda-Connolly line have been considerably expanded in recent years in response to growing passenger demand. There are now a total of 59 daily services on the route compared to 42 in 2000. Overall capacity has also been significantly increased with the introduction of 136 diesel multiple units between 2003 and 2005 which has almost doubled carrying capacity on the route.

During 2007 the introduction of new Intercity railcars (for which funding has been included in the 2007 Estimates) on the Sligo line will enable further commuter railcars to be transferred to operate out of Drogheda to add further capacity to commuter services. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that services at peak times on the Drogheda-Connolly line can cause some discomfort and inconvenience to passengers but does not give rise to safety concerns. Commuter railways throughout the world operate safely fully laden with standing passengers. There are no national or EU regulations in relation to the number of passengers that can be carried on an individual railway carriage. Irish Rail advises that it operates its rolling stock to approved design standards.