Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received a submission from the Midland Railway Action Group on the re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar railway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20501/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to the proposal to re-open the railway line between Mullingar, Moate and Athlone; if, in view of the fact that there are two gateway towns linked in this important proposal, he will utilise all the procedures and policies at his disposal to advance the re-opening of this railway line in the context of the National Spatial Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21122/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 425 and 445 together.

On 2 November 2005, I met a delegation from the Midland Railway Action Group to discuss the matter of the re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar Railway line. At our meeting, it was agreed that the Group would revert to me with a detailed proposal, supported by a complimentary land use and settlement strategy.

Consequently a project team was established to develop such a proposal. The team is being led by Westmeath County Council and the membership includes officials from the Council, Iarnród Éireann, and Athlone Institute of Technology. The team is expected to submit its proposal by July this year. I will, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, consider this when it is submitted to me.