Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had with Irish Rail regarding the ongoing overcrowding on trains from Sligo via Mullingar to Dublin. [18937/23]

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 Deputy may be aware that there is a major relevant rail carriage capacity enhancement project underway, the purchase of 41 additional intercity railcars, delivery of which commenced last September. These new railcars will allow for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service this year. As part of ongoing work by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann on a network-wide basis, consideration will be given to providing new and additional carriages where demand, available carriages and suitable infrastructure support such provision.

Therefore, the issue of overcrowding on the Sligo to Dublin line is first and foremost an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the NTA and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply.

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