Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied regarding compliance with health and safety regulations on all commuter trains serving County Kildare; if it is intended to introduce improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13000/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he can further increase the daily passenger capacity at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Hazelhatch, Sallins, Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin and Athy, County Kildare rail stations with a view to achieving the maximum possible throughput of passengers thereby alleviating road traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13001/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 486: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has examined the possibility of increasing the commuter rail capacity to the maximum possible within safety standards while awaiting T21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13006/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Transport if the capacity of all rail routes and rail stations has been examined with a view to increasing daily through-put to the maximum possible within health and safety guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13013/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 483, 484, 486 and 492 together.

The capacity and frequency of services on both the Kildare and Maynooth lines has been substantially increased in recent years. Capacity on the Maynooth line has trebled in the last 5 years and increased by 160% on the Kildare line since 2000. Capacity will be further enhanced with the completion of the Kildare line upgrade in 2010 and the electrification of the Maynooth line in 2010. Capacity has also been increased elsewhere throughout the railway system with the introduction of additional services on foot of infrastructure and rolling stock upgrade programmes. This is reflected in the sustained growth in passenger numbers carried by Iarnród Éireann from 32.7m in 1999 to 43m in 2006. Capacity will be further enhanced with the introduction of 183 new railcars over the period 2007/2009 and the completion of major infrastructure upgrades such as the Cork/Midleton and Navan rail lines, the Railway Safety Programme and the Interconnector/electrification project in the Dublin area. In the meantime Iarnród Éireann will continue to optimise the operation of the current services.

The day to day operation of train services is a matter for Iarnród Éireann under the supervision of the Railway Safety Commission in so far as railway safety is concerned.