Northern commuter rail capacity
Deputy Smith raised overcrowding and passengers being left on platforms on the northern commuter line, particularly given Donabate's growth and limited bus alternatives. The Tánaiste said the issue would be taken up with Transport, Irish Rail and bus providers and acknowledged the need for matching infrastructure.
I return to the issue of reduced capacity on Irish Rail's northern commuter line. My colleague Councillor Corina Johnston and I have been inundated with reports from people who have been left on the platform at peak time. My colleague received a response from Irish Rail today apologising for what has happened but stating it will happen again tomorrow and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week. Given that the population of Donabate is due to grow by 25% in the next two years, it does not have a direct, regular bus service into Dublin and it does not have a high-capacity DART service to alleviate demand, can a special case be made for increased transport infrastructure in terms of bus and rail to account for the homes being delivered there? The infrastructure must be delivered along with those homes.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy and Councillor Johnston for raising this important issue of reduced capacity on the northern commuter rail and the impact it is having on their constituents. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Canney, has heard what he said. We will raise this issue within the Department, with Irish Rail and with bus providers to see whether that case can be made. Deputy Smith is right on this. I am conscious that he is living in an area of massive growth in terms of population, which needs to be matched by provision of public infrastructure. We will get back to him directly on this.