Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Transport if the Government has plans to allocate funds to upgrade and modernise the track and signalling on the Limerick to Ballybrophy line; the funding that his Department will make available; and when the line will be upgraded. [6640/07]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Transport the funding he has made available for the upgrading of the Limerick Ballybrophy line; the reason the upgrade of the line is not included under the Transport 21 programme; the funding invested in the Limerick to Ballybrophy line since 2000; and his plans to upgrade this line in the near future. [6548/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 157 together.

Funding has been made available to Iarnród Éireann for the upgrading of the Limerick/Ballybrophy line, as part of the 2004-2008 Railway Safety Programme which is part of Transport 21. This funding has been spent on track renewal, and upgrading of signalling, level crossings, structures and fencing. I understand that over 15 miles of track have been renewed since 2004.

Total investment on the line to the end of 2006 is in the region of €8m. I understand that Iarnród Éireann's 2007 programme of works provides for renewal of a further 4 miles, plus other safety works such as fencing, sleeper replacement and signalling and electrical renewals. This will leave two miles to be upgraded in 2008 which will complete the project.

I understand also that the old locomotive hauled trains on the line have also been replaced with modern diesel railcars and that Iarnród Éireann also plan to resignal the line as part of Transport 21.