Written answers
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Rail Network
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when any rail carriages in storage will be brought into service; the manner in which this could benefit commuters in north County Kildare and throughout the greater Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22320/24]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it might be possible to ensure the availability of extra carriages to meet commuter demands affecting the towns of Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey and Celbridge, Hazelhatch, Sallins and Newbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22323/24]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 146 together.
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for decisions in relation to these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, in this case Irish Rail.
This Government is committed to improving public transport and is backing up that commitment with significant investments across the network, including the introduction of 41 new Intercity Rail Carriages (ICRs) into the fleet this year.
Decisions on the deployment of the 41 intercity carriages will be based on current and projected demand and infrastructure capacity, and subject to approval of the NTA. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the NTA for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
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