Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the enhancement of rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20980/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The day to day operation of train services, including scheduling of trains, is an operational matter for the relevant company and I have no function in this matter.

Significant investment is also being provided to ensure the safety, enhance the quality and increase the capacity of the rail network.

Work on three new Luas lines is currently underway as is work on the new commuter line in Cork, the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor and the first phase of the Navan rail line from Clonsilla to Dunboyne. Over €500 has been invested in railway safety under the Second Railway Safety Programme. The third Railway Safety Programme is being finalised by the Railway Safety Task Force. 234 new railcars have been ordered and have started to enter service. Significant progress is also continuing in the planning of major projects. The Oral Hearing on Metro North commenced in April and Irish Rail are on target to lodge a railway order application for the DART Underground later this year.

As I have stated previously the provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining public transport investment priorities. In this context, Metro North and the DART Underground Project are particularly important rail investments as they form a core part of the planned integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area envisaged by Transport 21.