Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)

Mr. Meade used an interesting analogy earlier about trying put a gallon of liquid into a pint glass. Population increase on the northern line continues. It is happening right now. Towns like Donabate and further up the line are all experiencing building. When we talk about a three- or four-track solution along the line, it seems like a long way away. There is also a campaign to retain a direct service on the spur of the DART from Howth Junction to Howth rather than introduce a change at Howth Junction at some point in the future. Given the population increase on the northern line and that we will have limited track capacity will Irish Rail have to continue to prioritise the northern line given the number of people who will use the service in the next couple of years?

At what stage will a decision have to be made on those two spurs coming onto the one track at Howth Junction?