Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received representations regarding the reopening of the Phoenix Park rail tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32932/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I have not received any representations regarding the reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel. The Tunnel is an existing railway line connecting Heuston Station with Connolly Station and North Wall Freight Yard and is used for freight services and transfer of rolling stock. The line is also occasionally used for passenger trains for major sporting events at Croke Park, such as football and hurling All-Ireland finals when trains from places like Cork and Kerry go direct to Connolly Station. 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. Iarnród Éireann regards the Interconnector tunnel as the best option for providing additional cross city capacity. The planning, design and construction of the Interconnector is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Transport 21 provides for the completion of the Interconnector by 2015.