Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received any further reports in relation to the re-opening of Killucan railway station; if steps have been taken to include same in the new ten-year transport plan; if his Department will assist both the local community group which is seeking to have same re-opened and Westmeath County Council, which has signalled the importance of the re-opening of this station, by including same in the county development plan; if this objective will be progressed without further unnecessary delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26104/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the midlands regional planning guidelines, which were approved in mid-2004, do not include specific reference to the re-opening of Killucan railway station. It is imperative that a sufficient population is in place in the catchment area of a station to justify its re-opening. The present position is that Iarnród Éireann is in discussions with Westmeath County Council to establish if proposals for the development of the Killucan area will provide this necessary population growth.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Transport if Iarnród Éireann received further submissions from groups in Mullingar, Moate and Athlone seeking the re-opening of the railway line between Mullingar, Moate and Athlone; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will be important in the context of the Westport link and in particular in view of the fact that Mullingar and Athlone are important gateway towns of the national spatial strategy; if the re-opening of this line will be progressed by the Cabinet sub-committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26105/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that it has no immediate plans to re-open the Mullingar to Athlone line. The strategic rail review examined the case for re-opening this line and concluded that it was not a priority project. The review suggested it could be re-evaluated at a future date in the context of securing progress in advancing and adopting complementary land use and transport policy at the regional and local levels in the areas concerned. However, Iarnród Éireann's first priority will be to finalise the renewal of infrastructure and rolling stock on the Galway and Mayo lines.

The crucial factor to be considered in any decision to re-open a railway line is the likely scale and pace of development along the rail corridor in question. The greater the critical mass of population and economic activity, the more likely a sustainable case can be made for rail investment. I already made it clear to local authorities in other parts of the country that it is for them to develop and implement land use strategies which would support the case for rail investment. While there are no immediate plans to reopen the Athlone to Mullingar line, the issue will be kept under review having regard to the matters to which I have already referred.