Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 183: To ask the Minister for Transport the position of the proposed upgrading of the Dublin to Kildare rail line; the funding his Department has allocated or ring-fenced for this project; if changes have been made in regard to the original plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20148/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Kildare Route Project involves the four-tracking of a critical section of the Kildare line between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch. The project will allow separation of long distance and commuter services and improve speed and capacity for commuter, regional and intercity services.

Having completed detailed planning and design, CIÉ applied for a Railway Order in October of 2005. I received the Inspector's report of the public inquiry in relation to the Railway Order for the Kildare Route Project on Friday 5 May 2006 and the report was published on 23rd May 2006. It is available on my Department's website at www.transport.ie.

In making my decision as to the granting of the Railway Order, I am obliged under Section 43 (1) of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, to consider the report of the Inquiry as well as the submissions I received in respect of the project, CIÉ's application for a Railway Order, and the draft Order and documents that accompanied the application. I am currently considering the inspector's report and the other documents mentioned above and I will make a decision in the matter when I have completed that consideration.

Subject to the outcome of the Railway Order process, construction work on the project will begin towards the end of 2006 and is due for completion at the end of 2010.

Iarnród Éireann has made no changes to their plans for upgrading the route.

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