Written answers
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Department of Transport
Rail Network
10:00 pm
James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine his plans for the Athlone to Mullingar rail link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16501/07]
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The re-opening of the Mullingar to Athlone rail line was considered as part of the Strategic Rail Review. The review did not recommend inclusion of the scheme in the list of new rail schemes. On this basis the project was not included in Transport 21. My predecessor met representatives of the Midlands Railway Action Group on a number of occasions to discuss the matter. I understand also that the matter was also discussed with Iarnród Ãireann on the basis of a report commissioned by the group.
John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the amount of funding which has been provided by his Department for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor; the reason that no approval has been given or date set for the re-opening of the section of line from Coolooney to Claremorris; the amount of funding which is being made available by his Department for the project; and the date on which it is proposed that work will commence on same. [16763/07]
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Claremorris on a phased basis. The Ennis to Athenry section is to be completed in 2008, the Athenry to Tuam section in 2010 and the Tuam to Claremorris section in 2014. Iarnród Eireann plan to have Phase 1 completed in 2008. I understand from Iarnród Ãireann that route clearance, site investigation works and excavations for improved bridge clearance are already under way.
I do not consider it prudent to release commercially sensitive information in relation to the cost of individual projects within Transport 21 until the public procurement processes are completed. However, my Department has allocated â¬10m in 2007 to Iarnród Ãireann to fund expenditure on Phase 1 (Ennis â Athenry section) of the Western Rail Corridor.
Iarnród Ãireann, with the assistance of funding under the Clár programme, are undertaking work to preserve the rail alignment on the Claremorris to Collooney section in line with Transport 21. This is prior to examining the feasibility of reopening the line from Claremorris to Sligo, as provided for in the Programme for Government.
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