James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the DART underground; the benefits it would bring to the greater Dublin area; the timeline to progression; if a decision has been made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40903/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am sure the Deputy welcomes the progress made thus far on multi-billion euro investment programme known as DART+ (DART plus) which seeks to double the capacity of the rail network in the Greater Dublin Area and will unlock the potential for large-scale housing delivery in a number of key locations across the city.

Over the summer I launched the public consultation process in relation to DART+ West which relates to the current Maynooth Line and I look forward to doing similar in relation to DART+ South West, the current Kildare Line, in due course. I have no doubt the Deputy welcomes the additional services and improved infrastructure this will bring to passengers across Kildare.

As required by the Public Spending Code, preparation of a preliminary business case for DART+ is well underway which, when completed, I will bring to Government for decision. I very much look forward to seeing the DART+ programme progress in the coming years.

In relation to the proposed DART Underground, the issue can being considered as part of the recently commenced review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Arealed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and of course the review of the National Development Plan which is currently underway and will establish a framework for investment over the next 10 years.