Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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535. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it may be possible to bring forward the electrification of commuter rail routes, such as Enfield to Dublin, Sallins to Dublin and others, with a view to increased efficiency and less dependence on fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18057/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades.

The recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, also confirms DART Expansion as one of a number of key investment priorities to deliver a comprehensive public transport network over the next decade.

DART Expansion is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected. It includes the expansion of the fleet with new diesel electric trains and also provision of 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, all to achieve the benefits envisaged by the NDP.

It is noted that allocations in the NDP for the delivery of the different National Planning Framework National Strategic Objectives will be updated and adjusted where necessary as the National Development Plan is implemented, in light of progress achieved in relation to public capital investment priorities currently underway or planned; the on-going assessment of longer-term infrastructural priorities across sectors underpinning the implementation of NPF priorities; and the different planning horizons applying to different types of capital expenditure (for example, major infrastructural projects as compared to the provision of capital grants under particular spending programmes). This is to allow for appropriate flexibility and responsiveness of capital allocations to changing circumstances and priorities.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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