Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh. I wish to raise the matter of the western rail corridor. I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on the funding for the corridor and outline the timeframe for completion of same. There is much concern in the west that the funding will be pulled in next week's budget. I hope the Minister of State will be able to inform me of the true state of affairs.

Construction work is continuing on phase one of the corridor, the section running from Ennis to Athenry. The enhancement of the section running from Athenry to Galway for the provision of commuter services to Galway is welcome. I understand phase one is expected to be completed by January 2010 when there will be regular services between Galway and Limerick via Ennis. New stations are expected to be opened at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell.

I ask the Minister of State to confirm the progress made on that section of the railway. When will services commence between Limerick and Athenry? I note that a new station is expected to be opened in Oranmore early in 2010. However, I understand the site location has not been confirmed. The location for the station is shown in the development plan but it is not known if the site has been purchased. I, therefore, ask the Minister of State to say when the station will open in Oranmore.

The Minister of State is very familiar with the benefits of the western rail corridor. It will improve inter-regional transport services and increase economic activity in villages and towns adjacent to the route from Limerick all the way up to Sligo. That is the western rail corridor and it will increase access to towns and villages along the route shown on this map. The region did not have such access previously and it will make a major difference to the economic life of the region.