Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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818. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART underground as distinct from the Metro and Luas with specific reference to the planning for the project; the timeframe for its consideration; the timeframe for the construction of a link between Connolly and Heuston stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11839/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that in the recently published National Development Plan (NDP), the DART Expansion Programme is identified as a key investment priority comprising a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART Network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected.  The estimated cost is €2 billion with an estimated completion date is 2027.

The initial sequencing of investment will focus on delivery of non-underground tunnel elements of the programme using the recently opened rail link and existing connector tunnel under the Phoenix Park. This includes buying additional fleet for the DART network and measures such as re-signalling, junction and station changes to provide expanded services.  The next step will be to provide fast, high-frequency electrified services to Drogheda on the Northern Line, Celbridge/Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line, Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line, while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones. It will also include new stations to provide interchange with bus, LUAS and Metro networks.

The significant benefit to using the recently opened rail link and existing connector tunnel under the Phoenix Park and the proposed sequence of investment, is that it will enable additional passenger services to be put in place much earlier using existing infrastructure with some enhancements. This integrated rail network will provide a core, high-capacity transit system for the region and will deliver a very substantial increase in peak-hour capacity on all lines from Drogheda, Maynooth, Celbridge/Hazelhatch and Greystones.

The route for the remaining element of the overall DART Expansion Programme, the DART Underground Tunnel, will be established and protected to allow for its future delivery.