Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Transport the position on the extension of rail services to Navan; and the timescale proposed for these works. [35785/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress being made on the re-opening of the Navan line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35820/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.

The planning and design of the Navan Rail Link is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

I understand that 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. The current position regarding this phase is that detailed design work is underway and Iarnród Éireann expect to submit a Railway Order application in 2007 for statutory approval to enable the railway upgrade works to proceed with a view to completion of Phase 1 in 2009 as provided for in Transport 21.

Under Phase 2 it is proposed to extend the rail line to Navan within the period of Transport 21. Iarnród Éireann and Meath County Council are developing terms of reference for a scoping study for the extension to Navan. I understand that the scope of work for the feasibility study has been defined and the procurement process for the engagement of consultants to carry out this work is expected to be completed this month. The study is expected to commence shortly thereafter.

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether the proposed Irish Rail interconnector tunnel will be completed by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35818/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Interconnector is intended to be the final phase of a programme to extend and reconfigure the DART and suburban services and to provide higher capacities, frequencies and integration of services to meet forecast demand levels in the Dublin inner-suburban area and to develop an integrated transport system for the capital.

There are a number of projects currently under way that are necessary to prepare for the development of the interconnector including the Kildare Route Project, feasibility study on the electrification of the Maynooth line and two complementary planning studies on the Interconnector. Iarnród Éireann and the Railway Procurement Agency are also working well together to ensure that planning for both the Interconnector and the Metro is properly integrated. On this basis I am confident that the timeframe for the delivery of the Interconnector is achievable.