Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be grateful for the Minister's assistance and guidance on this issue. Planning to reopen the station is a significant task for a community to undertake and colossal work has been done so far.

I would also be grateful if the Minister would determine whether funding might be available or permitted under the various rural recreation and development infrastructure funds. The Minister for Community and Rural Development, Deputy Ring, has made a significant investment in Kinnegad of late by providing priming finance to assess a significant project affecting multiple areas throughout the town. There is significant interest in this station among the commuter base in Kinnegad and Killucan and the surrounding area. Many commuters travel approximately 15 km in the wrong direction, to Mullingar or Kinnegad, in order to get a train or bus travelling to Dublin. This would be a huge asset to the community. I would be grateful if the Minister could secure guidance from the Department. I am fully aware that Iarnród Éireann is given a budget and that the CEO of Irish Rail has a duty to put forward projects within that funding. In the decade prior to 2001, 12 stations were reopened, so there is significant precedent for such an action when a business case is put forward.

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