Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

On the western rail corridor, Iarnród Éireann has submitted business cases to the Department relating to phase 1, that is, the reopening of the Ennis to Athenry section. Phase 2, the reopening of the Athenry to Tuam section, is being finalised and the Minister expects to be in a position to make a decision on Iarnród Éireann's application and the allocation of funding in the coming weeks.

The mid-term evaluation of the national development plan, carried out by the ESRI, reinforces the investment priorities chosen by the Government. The key finding was that the NDP "will have a sustainable, positive effect on competitiveness and productive capacity of the economy in the long term". In the long term the level of GNP growth will be approximately 3% higher, which represents a real rate of return on NDP investment of around 14%. This is an exceptional economic performance by any standards. It proves the NDP will leave a lasting legacy that will benefit generations to come.