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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Rail capacity and rolling stock

Summary

Deputy James Lawless said commuter trains from Sallins were overcrowded and accused the Government of spending nothing on new rolling stock. The Tánaiste defended Project Ireland 2040 and BusConnects, saying major capital investment is committed for public transport, including Cork.

The programme for Government makes multiple references to public transport. The 7.28 a.m. service from Sallins to Grand Canal Dock was absolutely full leaving that station with eight stops to go. Commuters were physically unable to board the train at Hazelhatch, Adamstown and further in. There is an urgent need for greater capacity on these services. I have tabled multiple parliamentary questions to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and, shockingly, in the three years since he took office he has yet to spend a single cent on new rolling stock. Where are the carriages, where are the services and where is the capacity that is so badly needed on these commuter lines?

Comment on this
Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I know Fianna Fáil does not like to focus on the detail of the Project Ireland 2040 plan or the capital plan that goes with it, but it does include----

Comment on this

The spin unit.

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Three years and no spending.

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Please, time is limited.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

It does include-----

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There is no detail. That is the problem.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

If the Deputy would like to listen.

Comment on this

Please, Deputies. You are using up time.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

The problem the Deputy's party has is it does not want to focus on the detail of the plan-----

Comment on this

There is no detail.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

-----because it commits almost €115 billion of capital State investment into areas such as public transport and it commits €400 million to the BusConnects project in Dublin, which will invest heavily in new stock and prioritise public transport throughout the capital, on top of the billions of euro that will be spent on Luas and other services.

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In three years not a single cent.

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The Tánaiste can understand my concerns in view of the convention centre.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

There will be €200 million in Cork. It will happen.

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