David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 2 November 2006, if the public inquiry has been completed; the outcome of same; if not, when he expects same to be completed; when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the railway order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6871/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Glounthaune-Midleton Rail Project Public Inquiry opened on 31 October 2006 and concluded on 3 November 2006. I received the report of the inquiry on 17 January 2007 and on 1 February last I announced that I had published the Report. I am now considering the relevant documentation, including this Report, as required under the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act, 2001. I will make a decision on the application for the Railway Order as quickly as possible.

The report is available for purchase from the Government Publications Sales Office (price €4) and can be accessed on the Department's website at: http://www.transport.ie/transport/reports/ index.asp?lang=ENG&loc=845

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which it is proposed or expected in advance of Transport 21 or in the context of the National Development Plan to increase the capacity and frequency of the commuter rail services, provision of extra parking and feeder bus services at Sallins Railway Station, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs of the increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6888/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which it is proposed or expected in advance of Transport 21 or in the context of the National Development Plan to increase the capacity and frequency of the commuter rail services, provision of extra parking and feeder bus services at Hazelhatch Railway Station, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs of the increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6889/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which it is proposed or expected in advance of Transport 21 or in the context of the National Development Plan to increase the capacity and frequency of the commuter rail services, provision of extra parking and feeder bus services at Leixlip Railway Station, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs of the increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which it is proposed or expected in advance of Transport 21 or in the context of the National Development Plan to increase the capacity and frequency of the commuter rail services, provision of extra parking and feeder bus services at Maynooth Railway Station, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs of the increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6891/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which it is proposed or expected in advance of Transport 21 or in the context of the National Development Plan to increase the capacity and frequency of the commuter rail services, provision of extra parking and feeder bus services at Kilcock Railway Station, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs of the increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6892/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will make the necessary provision for improved feeder bus services in terms of frequency and capacity to meet the requirements of rail commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6893/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Transport the anticipated date for the further augmentation of commuter rail facilities to and from the capital in the context of the National Development Plan or in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6898/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will introduce interim measure to improve the commuter rail services in anticipation but in advance of Transport 21 with particular reference to the need to substantially increase capacity on all trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6901/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 to 261, inclusive, 265 and 268 together.

There has been major investment in recent years in expanding the number and capacity of commuter services on the Kildare and Maynooth lines.

The provision of turnback facilities at Newbridge, the extension of platforms at Sallins and Hazelhatch and the introduction of new rolling stock on the Kildare route as part of the increased investment in public transport under the NDP 2000-2006 have increased capacity on the Kildare route by 160%.

Capacity on the Maynooth line has been more than trebled in the last five years due to the doubling of the track, resignalling and the upgrading of stations and crossings.

There are now 35 services per day in each direction serving Maynooth and approximately the same number in each direction serving stations on the Kildare line.

Irish Rail have implemented further recent improvements to their services with the introduction of their new timetable on 14 January 2007 which included the introduction, for the first time, of scheduled Sunday commuter services on the Kildare commuter line with services operating five times each way, at approximately two hour intervals.

In addition, Maynooth line Sunday service frequencies were further improved, with hourly services operating on the half hour from 09.30hrs to 18.30hrs from Dublin Pearse, and services operating approximately every hour from 10.30hrs to 19.30hrs from Maynooth.

A number of major projects being funded under Transport 21 will further improve rail services in Co. Kildare. The Docklands station, which is due to open in March, will facilitate extra services on the Maynooth line. The introduction of a fleet of modern intercity railcars to be delivered in the period 2007 to 2009 will release commuter railcars currently being used on intercity routes such as Sligo-Dublin and Rosslare — Dublin for use on the Maynooth line amongst others. The Kildare Route Project, which involves four tracking a section of track from Cherry Orchard to Hazlehatch, will enable the separation of long distance and commuter services thus reducing travel times and offering operational flexibility to increase the amount of services provided. As part of that project upgraded stations and increased parking capacity are to be provided.

Feeder bus services to/from, and car parking facilities at, commuter rail stations are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann. However, in 2006 and 2007 my Department has allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann for:

expansion/improvement works at the car park serving Leixlip-Louisabridge railway station to increase the total car parking available at the station by 290 spaces;

expansion/improvement works at the car park serving Newbridge railway station to increase the total car parking available at the station by 300 spaces;

the planning and design of upgraded car parking facilities at other stations in county Kildare, including Kildare and Athy.

In addition, car park provision will form part of major new railway infrastructure works such as the Kildare Route Project.