Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is envisioned that following the implementation of the Kildare route project all commuter services on the Kildare line will be electrified and made compatible for use along the proposed interconnector; the impact the four tracking of the Kildare line between Heuston and Hazelhatch will have on the frequency of service to Sallins, Newbridge and Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6664/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Kildare Route Project involves doubling the number of tracks to four, with two dedicated lines for commuter services and two dedicated lines for Intercity and regional services. This will facilitate a major upgrade of InterCity services, long distance commuter services and local commuter services on the corridor. These services will be operated with diesel powered trains.

The additional tracks will enable increased train frequencies serving Sallins, Newbridge and Kildare in the peak periods, with improved journey times because these services will not be required to call at local stations between Hazelhatch and Heuston.

In the longer term it is proposed to electrify the route to enable electric train commuter services through to the city centre via an interconnector tunnel. The Interconnector is intended to be the final phase of a programme to extend and reconfigure the DART and suburban services and to provide higher capacities, frequencies and integration of services to meet forecast demand levels in the Dublin area and to develop an integrated transport system for the capital.