Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has examined the feasibility of providing a railway line structure alongside the proposed restructuring on the N3/M3 from Dublin to Cavan; his views on whether a rail service with parking facilities in strategic areas is the best alternative for commuters to Dublin City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31904/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under Transport 21 the old Navan rail line will be re-opened in two phases with the first phase running off the Maynooth line, at Clonsilla, to the M3 interchange at Pace, near Dunboyne. Design work for this phase is currently underway.

Subject to further studies, it is proposed to extend the rail line to Navan within the 10-year period of Transport 21. Iarnród Éireann and Meath County Council have developed terms of reference for a scoping study that will commence shortly in respect of the extension to Navan. This scoping study will examine possible alignments for the line including its interface with the M3. There are no plans to extend the line beyond Navan to Cavan.

An essential element of the re-opened Navan rail link will be the provision of park and ride facilities to maximize use of the railway service. In this context I understand that provision is being made in Phase 1 for a major park and ride facility near the Pace interchange on the M3.