Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine when he expects the rail line to Navan will be fully opened. [18090/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The re-opening of the Clonsilla to Navan line is proposed under Transport 21 in two phases — Clonsilla to Pace by 2009 and Pace to Navan by 2015. Iarnród Éireann expects to complete shortly the preliminary design and EIS on Phase 1, Clonsilla to Pace. The Company will shortly thereafter submit an application for a Railway Order to An Bord Pleanála. Iarnród Éireann expects to start the project later this year (subject to Railway Order) and to complete it late in 2009. The new station in Docklands ensures there will be capacity in the city centre to cater for demand from the newly reopened line.

In relation to Phase 2, the Pace-Navan section, Iarnrod Eireann is currently carrying out route alignment and feasibility studies in consultation with Meath County Council. This work is expected to be completed by Autumn 2007. I will then have a clearer indication of the scale of the project to be undertaken.