Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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102. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail plans to have a new 10 a.m. Monday to Saturday Dublin Heuston to Westport train service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53604/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have, therefore, referred 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 reply within ten working days.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of each category of tickets that Irish Rail sold for Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53605/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Irish Rail for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the new wheelchair accessible DART carriages that will be in service with effect from early 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53606/25]

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 in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.

The DART+ fleet project, which is a key element of the DART+ programme, provides a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train fleet.

Two fleet orders have been placed (185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units). The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which compromise of 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, have started arriving and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing. It is intended that the new battery-electric sets will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda.

The new DART+ fleet will provide improved accessibility for train users, including low level flooring and entrance doors and larger dedicated wheelchair spaces with easy access from adjacent doors.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the 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.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail plans to have undercover ticket inspectors onboard intercity rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53607/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.