Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has signed the railway orders for rail projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12705/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I signed the Railway Order for the Luas extension from Sandyford to Cherrywood on 14 August 2006 and preliminary works have already commenced on this project.

I have decided to grant the Railway Order for the Glounthaune to Midleton Rail Project, in line with the recommendations of the Inspector who held the Public Inquiry into the project. The drafting of the Order is currently being finalised between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General.

When the Order has been prepared it will be submitted to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to his consent for the provisions of the Order affecting roads. I will sign the Order immediately thereafter.

In accordance with the amendments of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 which were incorporated in the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, all future applications for Railway Orders by CIE and the RPA, including those in respect of the proposed linking of the Luas lines in the city centre and the Luas spur to Citywest, will be made to An Bord Pleanála.