Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether a much quicker timeframe is necessary for the western rail corridor; if, in view of the fact that a complete transport over view is needed in the west and most especially in County Mayo, the western rail corridor and a proper road network would progress investment in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3363/06]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Transport the timescale for the commencement of work on and the full completion of the western rail corridor. [3365/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 196 together.

The McCann report recommended a phased approach to the construction of the western rail corridor. Following the launch of Transport 21, I asked Iarnród Éireann to commence the design and planning stages of the western rail corridor from Ennis to Claremorris. The line between Ennis and Athenry will be the first section to be developed. The indicative timescale for development of the corridor is Ennis to Athenry to be completed in 2008, Athenry to Tuam in 2011 and Tuam to Claremorris in 2014. The necessary steps to preserve the section of line between Claremorris and Collooney will be taken this year. I await specific proposals from Iarnród Éireann in relation to the development of the first phase.

This phased approach to reopening the western rail corridor, as well as being consistent with the McCann recommendations, also allows for the management of the construction programme in the context of Iarnród Éireann's overall resource requirements under Transport 21 and makes sense from the perspective of the effective management of the overall capital envelope.

Following completion, in 2010, of the inter-urban motorways programme linking Dublin and the provincial cities, the roads element of Transport 21 will focus on the substantial upgrading of the remainder of the national primary road network. This includes the Atlantic corridor linking the gateways of Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford, elements of which will be developed between now and 2010. The Atlantic corridor and the western rail corridor will be key projects in remedying the infrastructural deficit of the west.