Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he has received a response from Irish Rail to his most recent communication requesting them to consider the re-opening of the Limerick to Foynes line for rail freight; if Irish Rail believe that, with the Shannon Foynes Port Company, if a viable business case exists to re open the line and the funding that would be available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17191/11]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 558: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he has received a response from Irish Rail to his correspondence asking them to consider the re-opening of the Limerick to Foynes line for rail freight; his views that, with the Shannon Foynes Port Company, a viable business case exists to reopen the line and the funding that may be available. [17469/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 and 558 together.

Decisions relating to the re-opening of rail lines are a matter for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance. The company has advised me that it continues to engage with the Port Company and potential customers, to establish if a viable commercial case exists to reopen the line. Iarnród Eireann is keen to ensure that the zinc from Pallas Green can be moved by rail to whichever port it is ultimately exported from.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport my responsibility is for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Decisions in relation to transport projects will be taken in the context of the Capital Review, which is currently underway.

Given the difficult financial situation the first priority will be to ensure funding to protect and maintain existing investments and to maintain high safety standards. This of necessity will restrict the funding for new projects with only those offering the highest return and which contribute to overall economic and transport objectives and, are affordable, having any chance of being prioritised. Iarnrod Eireann have made a submission to the Department regarding their priorities for funding under the transport capital programme and final decisions will be made in the context of the new National Development Plan to be published in the Autumn.