Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is intended to provide a passing loop on the rail line between Ennis and Limerick to enable a more frequent service to be provided between Galway and Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63769/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport.  The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. This includes any works on the rail line between Ennis and Limerick.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers who have travelled on the Limerick to Galway rail services in each of the past five years; the constraints to improving the services on this line in terms of frequency and capacity of trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63770/22]

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 issues raised regarding the number of passengers that have travelled on the Limerick to Galway rail services in each of the past five years, and the constraints to improving the services on this line are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.

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

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when catering facilities will resume on the Dublin to Cork train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63787/22]

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 raised by the Deputy regarding the resumption of catering services on board Iarnród Éireann intercity rail services is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. 

I also understand that many of the stations on the Intercity network have existing retail / catering facilities available for customers, and Iarnród Éireann have advised that they will work with CIÉ Property in the interim period to further enhance, where possible, station-based retail and catering options for customers while also working towards the resumption of on-board catering as soon as possible. 

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

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the DART+ Coastal North project will make provision for additional rail capacity between Connolly and Malahide stations; if the existing plans will mean that Enterprise services between Dublin and Belfast will have to slow on this section of track to accommodate the additional DART services on the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63796/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.

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