Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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643. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the upgrading of the northern commuter line; the details of the purchase of additional trains and carriages; the long-term plans for the DART expansion on the route; the details of the funding sign off; the timeline for delivery in view of the already over congested trains at peak times and continuing population growth; the plans being put in place in the interim to address the overcrowding at peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29672/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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673. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to take to augment the commuter rail services involving the towns of Salllins, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge and Lexlip, County Kildare, with particular reference to ensuring a service adequate to meet the growing needs of commuters including provision of extra trains and or extra carriages on the existing network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30054/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 673 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport.  The operation of the heavy rail network, including the Kildare, Maynooth and Northern Lines and the assessing of rolling stock requirements for the network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) which also has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area including implementation of the DART Expansion Programme.

Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply on the specific issues raised.  Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.