Mr. Garret Doocey:

I can tell Senator Crowe what work is going on at present to look at that particular issue. As part of the exchanges with Deputy Sheehan earlier, we mentioned the all-island strategic rail review, which made a recommendation or had as a priority intervention - I cannot remember the exact term - the double-tracking from Athenry and improvements generally on the Dublin to Galway line. Following the publication of the all-island strategic rail review, we worked with the EIB on a prioritisation strategy for how we take forward the recommendations and what the priority interventions between now and 2030 are for shorter term quick wins. These are projects on a much smaller scale than what we are speaking about now. We also examined the priority projects we could take forward and see delivered over a ten- or 15-year horizon. The Dublin to Galway corridor improvements form part of the ten-to-15-year horizon. The work ongoing at present is to bring it to a more developed form of what we might do and to determine the costs and benefits around it. Ultimately, it will depend on funding. Subsequent to the NDP review, we will have a much better perspective on what is capable of being taken forward in the coming five and ten years.