Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Transport if funding has been set aside by his Department for the development of the western rail corridor; if so, the level of this allocation; when the report commissioned to investigate the re-opening of the corridor will be available; if he has set out a timetable for its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9800/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The working group on the western rail corridor appointed by my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, has met on a regular basis since last June. I understand the working group and its sub-groups are nearing the end of their deliberations. Accordingly, I expect to receive the report of the chairman within the next two months. A decision on the development of the western rail corridor will be taken in the context of the ten-year transport investment framework under preparation by the Department.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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This is my first opportunity to debate with the Minister on transport issues and I wish him well in his new portfolio. However, he has given a very short reply to my question. Will the funding for the western rail corridor, to which the Taoiseach referred in this House in reply to Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte, be ring-fenced? The report of the working group, which the Minister has said will be completed within two months, is expected to be very positive in regard to the development of the western rail corridor. Likewise, Iarnród Éireann has indicated a positive attitude to such a development.

If the project is approved, will the estimated €300 million in funding be available? If so, does the Minister expect work to begin on the project in 2005 and will it be completed in stages? There has been much talk of the Ennis-Athenry line, which will cost in the region of €30 million and will link Galway, Limerick and possibly Cork. Is there a timetable for the development of this route? The Department seems to be focused on its ten-year plan but some vision is required in this matter. Can the Minister get this project moving quickly?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy regarding the importance of this project and was sitting beside the Taoiseach when he answered questions about it in the Chamber. I have met the chairman of the working group on several occasions and have asked that the report be completed as quickly as possible. This is an important project containing infrastructural elements that can deliver good value for those in the region. I do not wish to pre-empt the report by speculating whether the development of the corridor should be staged by completing large sections one at a time. However, given the scale of the project, it is likely to be undertaken in major phases.

The ten-year financial framework announced by the Minister for Finance for my Department represents a colossal amount of money. There is no doubt the resources are there for this project, albeit in competition with other important rail, bus and road projects. I have given much attention to this project and have had numerous discussions in this regard. I will make a final assessment in this matter when I receive the report of the working group.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister comment on the major imbalance that exists between the east and west, particularly in regard to the national development plan? Under the plan, public spending for the first three years is running at €1.3 billion in the south and east region as against €155 million in the Border, midlands and west region. What is the Minister's view of yesterday's Central Statistics Office statistics which indicate that incomes in the BMW region are significantly lower than the average incomes in eastern areas? The lack of a transport system on the west coast is a factor in this disparity in that the infrastructure is lacking to attract high value jobs.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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High value jobs are available in the BMW region and the already good infrastructure in the area is being substantially improved. The Deputy may be aware that the National Roads Authority's recently released plans for this year indicate a significant upscaling of investment in the BMW region, with eight or nine of its projects located in that area. Having been responsible for the formulation of the spatial strategy, I appreciate that aspirations towards balanced development must be met by an equitable investment package. People in my area in the south east will also be disconcerted by the CSO figures and will claim the picture is distorted by the dominance of Dublin and that the figures for the southern and eastern region are also relatively low.

Putting statistics aside, the objective is to achieve substantial investment in the BMW region and to create a regional balance. I am prepared to put a significant amount of infrastructure in place to achieve that end. Activity in the BMW region this year represents a doubling of what took place last year. This is a clear illustration of my intentions in this regard.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister in favour of the development of the western rail corridor once the working group has issued its report?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government and I are very positively disposed towards the western rail corridor. However, I will await the report of the expert working group before taking action in this regard. We will all have a clearer picture once the report is issued.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Is Iarnród Éireann favourably disposed towards the development of the corridor?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I will not speculate before receiving the report. I have asked the chairman of the working group to report to me as soon as possible so that a decision can be made.