Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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1815. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposed date for the opening of the Phoenix Park tunnel; and the expected number of passengers who will use this facility. [25882/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and capital funding of €13.7m has been provided by the NTA for the redevelopment of the Phoenix Park Tunnel.

The Deputy will be aware that Iarnrod Eireann has recently published a draft timetable for the new Phoenix Park Tunnel services on its website (www.irishrail.ie) for customer comment and review. The public consultation will continue until Monday 19^thSeptember. Consultation periods on proposed timetable changes such as this have become a very welcome feature in recent years and allow interested parties an opportunity to provide feedback to the company prior to timetable finalisation. Comments received will be considered by Iarnród Éireann prior to finalisation of the timetable and the company will then engage with the National Transport Authority in order to determine an appropriate date for commencement of services.I hope that we will see services commence before the end of the year.

The Phoenix Park tunnel line will see new services operate from Newbridge and Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock, via the tunnel, Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse Stations.  The new services will deliver new direct rail services from one of the country's busiest commuter belts to the IFSC, South City Centre and Grand Canal Dock area and will encourage more commuters to switch to rail.