DART services face more delays

Seán McCárthaigh

Iarnród Éireann senior executives were called before an Oireachtas committee yesterday to explain why further stoppages were necessary, despite the fact that weekend services were already cancelled for a 10-month period to allow work to upgrade the line. The decision to suspend services for a second time, starting next Saturday, has been heavily criticised by commuters and business interests in south Dublin and north Wicklow.

Iarnród Éireann acting chief executive Dick Fearn said planning and property issues which only emerged during the initial works phase in October 2003 made further stoppages necessary to complete the E76m upgrade project.

He blamed appeals being lodged by An Taisce to planning permission for works at three stations for the possibility of further suspensions of DART services.

Meanwhile, Mr Fearn said it was impossible for Iarnród Éireann to state if a reopening of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Collooney was viable unless it knew what level of services it would be expected to provide.

Dublin Bus will run a special shuttle service next Saturday between the city centre and Lansdowne Road for fans attending the World Cup qualifier.