Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all new DART carriages coming into the fleet over the next few years will have overhead luggage space to be able to hold small suitcases and so on. [2886/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ Programme and the purchase of rolling stock.

Approval by Government in December 2021 permitted the purchase of 95 DART carriages from Alstom, to start entering into service from early 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see an additional 90 new battery-electric carriages enter service from around 2026.

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