Written answers
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Rail Network
Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on Kilkenny railway station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21258/24]
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; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the platform at Kilkenny railway station is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the lift, which was installed by a company (details supplied) to facilitate access for all passengers to the railway station and which was to be commissioned by Iarnród Éireann, will be made operational; the reason the lift has never been used since it was installed 20 years ago; and if immediate action will be taken. [21278/24]
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; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the operation of a lift in McDonagh Station is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated timeline for the DART+ southwest project to progress beyond the planning application; and a timeline for the project as a whole. [21331/24]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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+ South West project.
The DART+ programme comprises five related projects in the Greater Dublin Area and eastern region, including:
- DART+ Fleet: a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric fleet;
- DART+ West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth;
- DART+ South West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge;
- DART+ Coastal North: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Drogheda;
- DART+ Coastal South: improvement of current DART services from Dublin city centre to Greystones.
Following the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022, an Oral Hearing for DART+ West was held in September/October 2023. A Railway Order for DART+ South West was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in March 2023 and a Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North is expected to be lodged in June/July 2024.
Subject to DART+ South West’s receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to this decision, procurement documents will be prepared for the project, which will require Ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. If approval is granted at this stage, the project will proceed to conduct a procurement process. A Final Business Case, which will take account of the outcome of the procurement process, will be prepared and the project will be submitted for Government Consent at Approval Gate 3 under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
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.
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