Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Transport if all the rail projects which were timetabled to begin under Transport 21 in 2006 have now begun; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12740/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Transport if all the rail projects which were timetabled to begin under Transport 21 in 2006 have begun; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12680/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 102 together.

Four (4) new rail upgrade projects were timetabled to begin in 2006. Work commenced on both the Docklands Station and the Portlaoise Traincare Depot. The Docklands Station was opened on 10 March 2007 and the Portlaoise Traincare Depot is due to be completed in early 2008. Preparatory and enabling works began in 2006 on the Kildare Route upgrade project and the Glounthaune to Midleton Line. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the main contracts for the Kildare Route Upgrade will be placed in April and June this year and that contracts for the Glounthaune to Midleton project will, subject to an enforceable Railway order in April, be placed in July. I will sign the Railway Order for this project shortly.

Construction of the Luas extension to Cherrywood was also timetabled to begin in late 2006. However, the Railway Order for this project was the subject of an application for judicial review. These proceedings were settled in late January and preliminary work on the project is now underway.