Written answers

Wednesday, 8 February 2006

10:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received detailed plans and designs for each phase of the western rail corridor project from Iarnród Éireann; if not, when he expects to do so; the timeframe for the receipt of such plans; the projected cost of each phase of this project; his views on whether phase one will be completed by 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4546/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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 and I await specific proposals from Iarnród Éireann in this regard. The indicative timescale for completion of this first section is 2008. The indicative timescale for completion of the Athenry to Tuam section is 2011 and for the Tuam to Claremorris section is 2014. The necessary steps to preserve the section of line between Claremorris and Collooney will be taken this year.

Transport 21 includes a financial provision to cover the anticipated cost of the western rail corridor project. I do not propose to release this commercially sensitive information until the public procurement process for this project is completed.

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