Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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458. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects commuter rail passenger numbers to increase when the lines are upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21275/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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461. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date towards the extension of DART services to Maynooth, County Kildare and further afield in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21278/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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464. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which the relevant authority is willing to accept the concerns expressed at various stakeholder discussions with the public and public representatives with particular reference to the need to avail of the opportunity to extend electric rail services beyond Maynooth to Kilcock as well as Hazelhatch and Sallins thereby investing for the future transport needs of the north County Kildare region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21281/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in the electrification of the Maynooth rail line with particular reference to the need to ensure that car parking facilities are supplied to the west of Kilcock thereby facilitating Enfield, Kilcock and the wider hinterland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21282/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that can be taken to accelerate the programme to upgrade the Hazelhatch and Sallins railway line; if plans are being advanced to connect the Maynooth line with Hazelhatch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21283/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that realignment of roads and bridges in the context of the extension and electrification of rail services throughout north County Kildare does not involve disadvantaging local communities and that road and bridge realignments outstanding for many years are satisfactorily dealt with in the course of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21284/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 458, 461, 464, 465, 466 and 467 together.

As the Deputy is aware, both DART+ West and DART+ South West are elements of the DART+ Programme. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including in consultation with Iarnród Éireann the planning and implementation of the DART+ Programme and commuter rail.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, 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 days.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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459. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the number of carriages serving the north County Kildare rail commuter routes or alternatively increasing the frequency of trains thereby improving the service for commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21276/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. 

The issue of the number of carriages and the frequency of trains serving the north County Kildare rail commuter routes is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. 

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.