Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the situation whereby many interurban rail services are now slower than they were twenty years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6587/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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While journey times are important, the key issues in relation to railway services from a user's point of view are frequency, reliability and punctuality. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that railway services have improved significantly under all of these headings in recent years.

The growth in the number of passengers using the railway service from 29.41 million in 1997 to 43.15 million in 2006 — an increase of 46.7% — reflects the increase in frequency of the rail services and their improved punctuality record.

This improvement in rail services is due to the major Exchequer investment in the upgrade of the railway network in recent years. Since 1999 over €1.6 billion has been invested in upgrading the railway infrastructure and rolling stock. The pace and momentum of the upgrade programme is being maintained under Transport 21 and €395 million has been allocated this year to Iarnród Éireann for upgrade works.

This investment has enabled Iarnród Éireann to increase capacity and the number of services throughout the country. For example, on the Dublin-Cork Intercity service frequency has been doubled to provide an hourly service in both directions throughout the day. On the Dublin-Sligo line, service frequency between Sligo and Dublin has increased by over 60%. Service punctuality is also at a high level with Iarnród Éireann consistently achieving its punctuality targets and more than 90% of its trains arriving on time.

In relation to journey times, I understand from Iarnród Éireann that most InterCity point to point journey times have been maintained in recent years despite a significant increase in the number of trains operating on the network. Also, substantial infrastructure works are being carried out whilst still keeping services operating reliably.