Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 505: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to upgrade the rail network in the Border, midlands and western, BMW, region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14934/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Over the period 2000-05 a total of more than €740 million has been invested, through the railway safety programme, in the upgrade of the railway network throughout the country including in the BMW region. This has funded the installation of continuous welded rail throughout the network, along with a substantial programme of renewals to bridges and structures, level crossings, cuttings and embankments.

In addition there has been substantial investment in:signalling systems — resignalling of the Galway and Sligo lines has been completed and work is under way on the Westport and Ballina lines with completion expected by year-end; road crossing automation; station improvements including platform extensions and upgrade works to improve accessibility; and in rolling stock — new rolling stock has been provided on the Sligo route and will improve further as Iarnród Éireann takes delivery of 150 intercity railcars over the period 2007-08. Overall almost €290 million has been invested in the upgrade of rail and bus services in the BMW region in the period 2000-05. This, combined with investment in the railway network in the south and east region, has resulted in major improvements in service quality in terms of frequency and reliability.

In addition to the new rolling stock on order and for delivery over the next few years, Transport 21 provides for an ongoing high level of investment in the railway safety programme and for the development of the railway network generally including, in the case of the BMW region, for the phased re-opening of the western rail corridor.