Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I do not detect from the Taoiseach any level of urgency about the matter. He says it is a good idea, and we can all speak about good ideas. However, the Government is in place to act, particularly on its promises and manifesto. Will that happen with regard to the Navan line, not just as far as Dunboyne? CSO figures published last year showed Navan as the fastest-growing large town in the State between 1996 and 2001. Its population increased by 51.6%, which is almost 20,000 people, while overall State figures increased by 8%. In that regard, will the Taoiseach initiate the Navan project? Will he state it as the Navan line rather than phase one? Will he say it is the Navan line, and will it be delivered by 2010? This is what people need to know, given that they are investing, and will hopefully continue to invest, in Navan. They need to know if the service will be there.

The Taoiseach mentioned cost. A study by Iarnród Éireann showed the Maynooth to Clonsilla line cost €156 million. Road building will cost between €15 billion and €20 billion and will be announced sometime in March. Can we compare like with like and give a fair allocation to the rail programme so that the line will be built to Navan?

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