Madam, - Concerning recent contributions from your readers on this topic, it is obvious to me that a perception exists (eg, Olivia Mitchell TD, September 2nd) that the existing Phoenix Park tunnel railway line is disused. This vital line is in daily use and carries freight and service trains and frequently special passenger trains.
The line is known as the North Wall Branch, connecting Heuston and the southern system with North Wall and Connolly and linking into the northern, western and south eastern lines. Without this branch no inter station connection is possible in the Dublin area.
Whatever the merits of the "interconnector" rail tunnel, and there are surely many, one thing is certain: the existing Dublin railway network, apart from the commuter lines, is greatly underused and an examination of its potential for train service will demonstrate this. - Yours, etc,
BERNARD C BYRNE, Newbrook Avenue, Dublin 13.