Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an updated report on the position regarding, including timeframe, the plan for the electrification of the Maynooth train service to supple DART services. [35162/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the development of the Maynooth line, comes under the remit of the NTA. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

However, I would say that the electrification of the Maynooth train service is an element of the DART Underground Programme. Due to funding constraints the DART Underground tunnel has been postponed and will be reviewed in advance of the next capital programme in 2015. While elements of the overall programme which by themselves would bring benefits for rail commuters may precede if funds allow, this would be a matter for the NTA to determine in preparing their programme for the next 5 years arising from the funding and priorities outlined in the Medium Term Exchequer Framework 2012-2016.