Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the passenger numbers using the improved and now hourly-frequency rail service between Belfast and Dublin, month on month, hour by hour, from January 2024 to date in 2025, following the €12.5 million funding allocated from the Shared Island Fund in February 2024; to consider running the service later to support the cultural, economic and nighttime economy of both cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51441/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, in this case Irish Rail.

In light of their responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both the NTA and Irish Rail for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.