Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); his views on the matters outlined in the letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4620/05]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will meet a deputation (details supplied) to discuss the feasibility study on the Shannon rail link; the actions which will be taken to expediently move towards having this feasibility study progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4689/05]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will meet with the Shannon Rail Partnership to discuss the forthcoming feasibility study on the Shannon rail link. [4869/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Transport the position concerning the viability of the proposal to develop a Shannon rail link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5115/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 331, 342, 348 and 365 together.

The proposed Shannon rail link was examined in the course of the Strategic Rail Review, which my Department published in 2003. The cost benefit and multi criteria analyses carried out as part of the review showed that the proposal did not perform very well in terms of net economic benefit and, therefore, it was not included by the consultants in the recommended investment strategy. However, the review was conducted at a strategic level rather than a feasibility study level and many interests in the Shannon region see the proposed rail link as bringing strong economic benefits to the region. As a result of this my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, requested Iarnród Éireann to undertake a feasibility study on the viability of this proposal in consultation with various local interests.

I have brought the matters raised in the letter referred to by Deputy Lowry to the attention of Iarnród Éireann. However, it is a matter for the company to decide what matters to consider when assessing the feasibility of the proposals. I will, of course, be happy to meet a delegation from Shannon Rail Partnership to discuss the proposal further and following its letter of 2 February, my office has already been in contact with it with regard to a suitable date for a meeting.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Transport if EU or other funding for North-South rail projects is available to part fund a rail link via Dunboyne, Navan and Kingscourt. [4625/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with Meath and Fingal county councils, recently completed a feasibility study into providing a spur from the Dublin to Sligo railway line at Clonsilla to Dunboyne. It is now a matter for Iarnród Éireann to decide how to progress this matter. While there are no plans, at present, to extend this line beyond Dunboyne, I understand that the provision of a park and ride site near the N3 to cater for Navan traffic is being considered.