Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will make a decision to commence work on the western rail corridor; if he remains confident that phase one of this project will be opened by 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21945/06]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects to reach a decision on Iarnród Éireann's submission on the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21967/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to bring forward the completion date of the western rail corridor; if he has had meetings in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21905/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the western rail corridor; if he has received requests in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21909/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Transport if an application has been made to the European Union for EU funding for the re-opening of the western rail corridor; and if such an application has been made, the decision which has been forthcoming in respect of same. [21584/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has applied for structural or cohesion funds for phase one of the Western Rail Corridor project; the funding which is available for projects of this kind; if he has not applied for funding when he expects to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21754/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 84, 111, 131, 277 and 282 together.

As a central component of Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor will be re-opened. In this context Iarnród Éireann has submitted to my Department detailed business proposals relating to Phase 1 (the reopening of the Ennis to Athenry section) and Phase 2 (re-opening of the Athenry to Tuam section). These proposals have been assessed by my Department and I will be reporting on them to Government in the very near future.

The question of whether to make an application for Structural Fund aid under the 2007 — 2013 round of EU Funding will be considered in the context of the new Structural Fund Regulations.

As part of the phased reopening of the Western Rail Corridor, Transport 21 provides for the reinstatement of the line between Ennis and Claremorris and the preservation of the remaining alignment as far as Collooney.

Subject to Railway order approvals the expected completion date of the Ennis to Athenry section is 2008 with work expected to commence this year while the Athenry to Tuam section is expected to be completed in 2011.