Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans for the electrification of the bus and rail fleet. [25880/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

55. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposal in the Programme for Government for new buses to be electric or hybrid after 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25667/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 55 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

At a policy level, the Deputy has highlighted the Programme for Governmentcommitment that all new urban buses be electric or electric hybrid and I am glad to say that commitment is built into this year's bus purchase programme and obviously remains an integral part of all future bus purchase programmes.

Again at a policy level, in terms of the potential, or further, electrification of the rail network there are three important strands to that -

- extension of the existing DART network as part of the DART+ programme;

- future introduction of electrified services on the Cork commuter network as set out in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Study; and

- options for the major inter-urban network which will be considered as part of an imminent Departmental-led major review of speeds on the Belfast-Dublin-Limerick Junction-Cork line

In terms of the current status of the bus purchase programme, DART+ programme and roll-out of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy I have referred your question to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days