Written answers

Thursday, 12 May 2005

Department of Transport

Public Transport

5:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Transport the requests he has received from the board of Shannon Airport and local representatives regarding the upgrading of transport infrastructure in the Shannon region in order to secure a viable future for Shannon Airport; if he is in a position to ensure that such infrastructure will be upgraded in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/05]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Proposals have been made recently by the Shannon Airport Authority, Shannon Development Authority and the Mid-West Regional Authority regarding rollout of key infrastructural projects in the Shannon airport catchment area. I am aware also that it is the view of the board of the Shannon Airport Authority that there needs to be a complementary programme of this nature to underpin an independent and competitive Shannon Airport. Work under way in my Department on a ten year transport investment framework will address the future infrastructural requirements of the mid-west region. I would point out that there has been substantial investment in national roads in the Shannon region in recent years and this work is ongoing.

Projects that have already been completed include the N7 Limerick parkway, the N18 Ballycasey to Dromoland phase 1, Newmarket-on-Fergus bypass, the N18-N19 Hurlers Cross, the N20 Croom bypass and the N20-N21 Adare-Limerick scheme. Construction has also commenced on the N18 Ennis bypass.

In addition, the N7 Dublin-Limerick route has already been completed to motorway-dual carriageway standard as far as Portlaoise and, at the Limerick end, the N7 Limerick southern ring road, phase 1, was opened to traffic last year. The remainder of this route will be completed to motorway-high quality dual carriageway standard over the period to 2010. The N7 Limerick southern ring road, phase 2, which will incorporate a tunnel under the River Shannon, is due to start construction in 2006.

These major road improvement schemes are critical components of the transport infrastructure of the Shannon region which will not only improve the accessibility of the airport but also enhance the overall attractiveness of the region for investment and job creation.

As regards rail infrastructure, I met with the Shannon Rail Link Partnership on 22 March last to discuss the proposal for a rail link to Shannon and subsequent to that meeting Irish Rail brought forward draft terms of reference for a feasibility study. I expect that these terms of reference will be agreed shortly following consultations by Iarnród Éireann with the Shannon Rail Link Partnership.

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