Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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771. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the electrification of the Maynooth railway line; his views on the need for additional capacity on the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10187/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The National Transport Authority's 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035', which was approved and published in 2016, proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART Underground tunnel.

The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is under way on that at present. Due to constraints on funding, not all of the elements of the DART Expansion Programme can be progressed during the lifetime of the Capital Plan. Funding has been allocated for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel. Other elements of the Programme, including electrification of the Maynooth rail line will be considered in the context of the planned review of the Capital Plan.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not responsible for, or involved in, the day-to-day operations of Iarnród Éireann's services. Therefore, I have forwarded your question in relation to rail services on the Maynooth line to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.