Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail’s DART+ Coastal North Project will be revised, given that Clongriffin DART station could be utilised instead to provide for additional trains going north, on the grounds that it has three lines of tracks available and is a smaller and more secure station for changeovers than the station at Howth Junction; if research has been carried out in respect of this option; if using a smaller station would reduce costs for this project while allowing for the continuation of a direct service from the city centre to Howth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36534/24]

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. 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.

This project aims to extend the overhead electric wires on the DART system by circa 37km, from Malahide to Drogheda. It will allow for high-frequency and fully electrified DART trains to operate between Dublin city and Drogheda, upgrading the rail service to growing communities along the route.

The DART+ Coastal North was submitted to Government in May 2024 and received consent for approval under Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged in July 2024. The public have been invited to make submissions as part of the Railway Order consultation which is currently open until October 23rd 2024, which will be duly considered by An Bord Pleanála as part of the board’s decision-making process.

The infrastructural changes proposed by DART+ Coastal North will permit both direct and shuttle services to operate from Howth. To achieve maximum operational capacity, for every service that is operated direct to Howth, there would be one less service operating north of Howth Junction. This would result in a doubling of frequencies on the Howth branch compared to existing service levels which is typically three trains per hour per direction.

The implementation of a shuttle service is an operational matter, which will have to be decided on in the future following the delivery of the infrastructure. A separate consultation process would have to be conducted prior to the introduction of a shuttle service, as part of the regular timetable review.

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 issue raised. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within 10 days.