Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Transport the daily passenger throughput at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Hazelhatch, Sallins, Newbridge, Kildare and Monasterevin rail stations; the anticipated increase in each case; the deadline for meeting such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24658/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he intends to increase the number of car parking spaces at each rail station in County Kildare; the existing number of places in each case; and the expected number when augmented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24659/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the need to further increase the frequency and capacity of commuter trains serving Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Hazelhatch, Sallins, Newbridge, Kildare and Monasterevin, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24660/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the feeder bus services serving rail stations throughout County Kildare with a view to encouraging the use of rail transport and alleviating traffic chaos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24665/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 156, 157 and 161 together.

My Department has asked Iarnród Éireann to provide the detailed data regarding passenger throughput and parking capacity for each station in County Kildare to the Deputy. The position in regard to the improvement of railway services on the Maynooth line is that capacity has been trebled in the last five years. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that it is currently reviewing its plans for resignalling in the city centre area as part of its broader plans for the upgrade of railway infrastructure in the Dublin area and that in this context it is considering the removal of level crossings and resignalling of the Maynooth line as a means of substantially further increasing capacity on the line.

With regard to the Kildare line, capacity has increased by 160% on this line in recent years, along with platform extensions allowing for longer trains, introduction of Sunday services and the turnback facility at Newbridge that provides for Newbridge specific trains to operate. Furthermore, the Kildare Route project will see four-tracking between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch that will allow intercity trains to bypass the commuter services serving the outer Dublin area leading to more efficient use of the rail network. In the medium term the Interconnector and the associated electrification will also provide a significant increase in capacity and service on the Kildare Line. The provision of feeder and linking bus services to railway stations is a matter for the bus operators in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann.