Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the amount of money spent to date by his Department on the Pace to Navan section of the proposed Navan to Dublin rail link. [20471/07]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine his views on advancing the delivery of the proposed Navan to Dublin rail link ahead of the time period as set out under Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20472/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together.

The re-opening of the Clonsilla to Navan line is proposed under Transport 21 in two phases: Clonsilla to Dunboyne/Pace by 2010 and Pace to Navan by 2015.

The current position in relation to Phase 1 is that Iarnród Éireann applied to An Bord Pleanála on 7th September 2007 for a Railway Order — the equivalent of planning permission for a new rail scheme — to construct the 7.5 kilometre line from a spur at Clonsilla on the existing Dublin-Maynooth commuter line to Pace, north of Dunboyne. Subject to the granting of the Railway Order, Iarnród Éireann expect that construction would commence in late 2008 to ensure the line reopens in 2010.

In relation to Phase 2, the Pace-Navan section — Iarnród Éireann is currently carrying out route alignment and feasibility studies in consultation with Meath County Council. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that this work will be completed shortly. My Department has paid grants totalling €221,831 to date to Iarnród Éireann in respect of this project.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the rationale behind reducing the inadequate service for commuters on the Gorey, Arklow, Rathdrum and Wicklow train line; and the details of the proposed investment needed on the commuter rail service from the south east. [20560/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of services is an operational day-to-day matter for Iarnród Éireann. However, Iarnród Éireann have informed me that its Dublin commuter business is continuing to grow at up to 20% per annum on the northern, western and south-eastern commuter routes and accordingly that the current commuter rolling stock fleet is being fully utilised in the peak periods and allocated to services in order of greatest demand.

The imminent introduction of the first of the new InterCity railcars on the Dublin-Sligo services, will enable the commuter railcars, currently used on the Sligo services, to be immediately reallocated to commuter operations for which they are best suited. Through this process of reallocation, Iarnród Éireann intends to increase the amount of commuter rolling stock available for the commuter services to counties Wicklow and Wexford.