Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

When will there be a decision with regard to the new station at Spencer Dock, which determines the speed of delivery? There is a question mark about whether it will go over or under ground. Can we expect an expedient decision on the matter? It would have a greater effect, especially on the Dunboyne Navan link.

The Iarnród Éireann study has shown it is viable to open the line to Dunboyne and beyond. Will funding be provided to carry out these works parallel to works in Dublin, so that when Dublin is sorted out the line will be ready to start operating from Meath?

Will the Department fund a feasibility study — similar to that carried out with regard to Dunboyne — into extending the line the rest of the way to Navan? We were told a year or two ago the Dunboyne line would not work. It is now part of the plan and on the agenda. It can be done. This is after a report was completed and a study undertaken, driven at council level then through the Department and on to Iarnród Éireann. We were proven right in that we have a case for a railway line to Meath. No doubt, the same case will be proven with regard to Navan if the feasibility study is carried out and it is given a chance. It is wrong to banish the link to Navan without proper study and say it is not to be done because it is not on the agenda.

Navan and areas beyond must be serviced by rail. Navan is part of the greater Dublin region. The Department's spatial strategy states that the success of the greater Dublin region is based on rail. Navan is not mentioned as a hub or a gateway, but linked to Dublin. It is wrong not to provide a rail link and goes against common sense with regard to Government policy. The Government's spatial strategy states we should do it.

We should at least provide a few hundred thousand euros to complete the study with regard to the rest of the way from the N3 to Navan. Navan will serve north Meath, Kells, Cavan and beyond. A railway line is badly needed to reduce congestion. It will be proved viable. The Department should examine the matter and guarantee funding for the line to be built to Dunboyne. It should make a quick decision regarding the Spencer Dock development. It should certainly speed up matters with regard to Navan.

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