Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1113: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 425 of 30 May 2006, if he has received a proposal from a group (details supplied) on the re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar railway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29432/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar rail link was considered as part of the strategic rail review, carried out on behalf of the Department of Transport by Booz Allen Hamilton in 2003. The strategic rail review did not recommend inclusion of the line in the list of new rail schemes. On this basis, the project was not included in Transport 21.

Nevertheless, on 2 November 2005, I met a delegation from the Midland Railway Action Group accompanied by local representatives to discuss the re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar railway line.

In my discussions with the action group, I emphasised the importance of their proposals being supported by coherent, complementary land-use strategies that provide a clear justification for the project. A working group was subsequently established by the action group, comprising representatives from the executive of Westmeath County Council, Iarnród Éireann and Athlone Institute of Technology. The group's report was received by my Department on 20 June last.

The report is now being considered by my Department in conjunction with Irish Rail in the context of Transport 21. When my Department's assessment is complete I will respond fully to the report submitted by the group.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1114: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 877 of 25 January 2006, his plans to upgrade the Dublin to Westport rail service; the status of this upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29434/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years the Dublin to Westport line has been totally re-laid with modern continuous-welded track. Substantial investment has also been made in associated infrastructure: bridges, level crossings, fencing etc. Work is currently underway on a project to modernise the signalling system on the line, and this will be completed in 2007. By the end of 2007, a programme of investment in automating level crossings on the Dublin to Westport/Ballina route will have been completed. Last year almost 500,000 passenger journeys were made on the Dublin to Westport/Ballina route which is a record high.

The 150 new high-specification intercity railcars, due to be delivered in 2007 and 2008, will further improve the service on a number of lines including the Westport line. Combined with the upgrading of the fixed infrastructure, the new railcars will allow Iarnród Éireann to operate increased frequency and improved journey times on the line, as well as providing improved reliability and comfort levels. When the new rolling stock comes into service, Iarnród Éireann has indicated that it proposes to increase the daily frequency of services on the line from three services each way to five services each way, and to provide a mix of direct services and services between Westport/Ballina and Athlone, connecting to Galway to Dublin trains.