Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason expenditure to December 2004 under the NDP was only 55% of that forecast in the Objective One BMW region, compared with 112% for the southern and eastern region. [22661/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the National Development Plan, NDP, a total of €232 million was invested directly in public transport projects in the BMW region between 2000 and 2004. Further expenditure in the region is proceeding, resulting in continuous improvements to bus and rail services in the BMW region.

As evidence of progress to date, all rail lines in the BMW region have now been upgraded to continuous welded rail on concrete sleepers. The resignalling of the Galway-Dublin line has been completed. The Sligo-Dublin line is on target for completion this year and the resignalling of the Ballina and Westport lines will be completed in 2007. At that stage, all rail lines in the BMW region will have been resignalled.

Iarnród Éireann expects to take delivery of 36 new modern diesel railcars later this year and most of these are due to be allocated to the Sligo route to replace older rolling stock and to increase frequency and capacity. Iarnród Éireann placed an order for a fleet of 120 new high-specification intercity railcars at a cost of €262 million. They will enter service from 2007 onwards and will operate on the Galway, Westport and Ballina routes. At that point, Iarnród Éireann will be able to provide two-hourly services on the Galway line and increased frequencies on the Westport and Ballina lines.

In addition, expenditure on projects located outside the region such as the diesel railcar depot at Drogheda and the upgrading and improvement of Heuston Station have benefits for the BMW region. In consultation with the relevant agencies, my Department is, at present, developing a ten-year investment programme for transport. The programme will take account of the public transport needs of all regions of the country and will have regard to the regional planning guidelines recently approved.