Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has called on Minister for Transport Daragh O’Brien to urgently clarify the timeline for the long-promised extension of the DART to Wicklow Town following vague and concerning comments made by the Minister regarding the project's delivery date.
The call comes after the Minister stated, in reply to queries from Deputy Brady, that the deployment of a second order of 90 battery-electric DART carriages would enable the extension of the DART to Wicklow “around 2030”. This represents a significant departure from the previously stated firm commitment that the service would be operational by 2029.
Teachta Brady said:
“This vague response is deeply concerning.
“The Minister and the National Transport Authority have repeatedly committed to delivering the DART extension to Wicklow Town in 2029.
“Any suggestion that the project is now slipping back to a vague commitment of 'around 2030' raises serious questions that must be answered.
“We should also remember that Wicklow Town commuters have heard promise after promise over the years in relation to this extension, only to see delivery dates repeatedly pushed back.
“The original commitment made in 2019 targeted completion by 2023. That became 2025, then 2026, before the current commitment of 2029.
“Wicklow commuters deserve certainty, not more ambiguity.
“It should also not be lost that these latest comments come against the backdrop of the €50 million write-down linked to Irish Rail's failed Train Management System project and concerns about the potential impact on planned upgrades to the rail network.
“I remain deeply concerned that delays to this critical enabling system could be having knock-on consequences for the rollout of the DART network, including the extension to Wicklow Town.
“I will continue to engage directly with Irish Rail, the NTA and the Minister to ensure that the 2029 delivery date is honoured, that any emerging risks are addressed without delay, and that Wicklow Town is not left waiting any longer for the rail investment it has been promised.
“Wicklow commuters have waited long enough. They deserve clear answers, firm commitments and, above all, delivery.”
ENDS