Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Transport the planned improvements to the Maynooth suburban rail line in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [29651/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The development of the Maynooth line is an essential element of the DART Underground Programme which, along with Metro North, are key projects in the provision of increased capacity on the public transport network, which in turn is an important consideration in determining investment priorities for public transport. The Maynooth line will become a second DART line following the building of the tunnel which will lead to a re-configuration of DART services in the Greater Dublin Area. As the Maynooth line development is inextricably linked to progress on the DART Underground project the timing of various work elements on the Maynooth line will be dictated by work on the DART Underground project.

The works planned for the Maynooth line are: - the electrification of the line as far as Maynooth - the closure of level crossings - the re-signalling of the line - the purchase of additional rolling stock and construction of a new depot to house them.

The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects in planning, such as the development of the Maynooth line will in each case be determined by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the availability of financial resources determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate.