Written answers
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Rail Services Provision
Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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622. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the explanation he has been given from Irish Rail following reports that the Enterprise cross-Border rail service experienced a total of 1,700 delays in the past year, adding to a total of 15 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39881/16]
Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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623. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to invest in improving the cross-Border rail service going forward, as agreed by the Government in the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39882/16]
Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Northern Rail Line plays an important role in linking communities North and South of the Border. I met with Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard on Monday the 12th December under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council. This provided an opportunity to further develop co-operation between our respective Departments on strategic transport priorities. The rail link between Belfast and Dublin was among the issues discussed. Iarnród Éireann and Translink have established a joint Enterprise Board chaired by the CEO's of both companies aimed at implementing improvements to the Enterprise cross border Dublin/Belfast service.
While the main emphasis of funding for the rail network in the Capital Plan is on the maintenance of the existing network to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose, funding has been allocated for electrification of the Northern Line as far as Balbriggan. Funding has also been allocated for the completion of the City Centre Re-signalling Programme and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre which will enable the DART expansion projects to progress as well as generally improving national rail movements including the Enterprise service.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) recently launched a public consultation process on the Rail Review report which was jointly prepared by NTA and Iarnród Éireann. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the role of rail in Ireland and the funding of the rail network and services. The public consultation process will run until 18 January and the NTA will then prepare a report about the process which I intend to bring to Government. No decisions will be made on the future of the rail network until the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
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