Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 29 November 2005, and his remarks that it is his policy that Irish Rail remains in the rail freight industry and Irish Rail has made good progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage, such as in the carriage of sugar beet, cement and pulpwood, the evidence available to him of any growth in cement rail freight business, and in the absence of same, the policy changes he envisages. [39787/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Irish Rail has informed me that bulk cement tonnage carried by rail increased from 425,656 tonnes in 2002 to almost 450,000 tonnes in 2004. Final figures for the carriage of bulk cement in 2005 are not yet available. However, I understand from Irish Rail that due to line closures for resignalling and infrastructure upgrading on the Waterford line, as well as major renovations currently being carried out in the Limerick cement plant, the tonnage carried this year may be reduced. Irish Rail continues to review opportunities for viable rail freight business, including in the cement industry.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Transport when the public inquiry into the Kildare route project will be held; and the number of submissions he received following the publication of the railway order. [39857/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Upon receipt of CIE's application for a railway order for the Kildare route project, and under the provisions of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, I directed a public inquiry be held into the application and I appointed Mr. PatrickButler SC to hold that inquiry. The inspector has today directed that the public inquiry will open on 24 January 2006. A preliminary hearing to explain procedural and other arrangements will be held on 23 January.

I have received a total of 58 submissions in relation to the proposed works. Under the provisions of the Act, I am obliged to consider these submissions, as well as CIE's application and the inspector's report into the public inquiry, before I make a decision on whether to grant the railway order.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Transport when tenders will be invited for the resignalling project for the city centre to increase train paths per direction per hour from 12 to 16 into Connolly Station. [39858/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that a design team is currently being assembled and it is anticipated that work will commence in the latter part of 2006.

While the work involved will be carried out primarily by Iarnród Éireann in-house staff, the company intends to tender for additional resources as necessary in a support capacity.