Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Transport if he supports the view of An Taoiseach that the Phoenix Park rail tunnel should be reopened for use by commuter rail services; if he has requested Irish Rail to progress this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12706/07]

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 railway line is not used for commuter services 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.