James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed Navan railway link. [24402/07]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Navan rail line project; when the Navan rail line will be reopened; if the scoping study has been completed; if so, if he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24249/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 78 together.

Transport 21 provides for the re-opening of the railway line to Navan in two phases — Clonsilla to Pace and Pace to Navan. The position regarding Phase 1 is that Irish Rail submitted an application for a Railway Order to An Bord Pleanala in September 2007. The company is targeting a late 2008 start (subject to Railway Order) and a Spring 2010 completion. The proposed line from Clonsilla to Pace includes three stations at Hansfield, Dunboyne and a major Park and Ride at Pace.

In regard to the Pace/Navan phase, the position is that the feasibility work has commenced. A scoping survey is currently underway to survey the alignment and establish what engineering and technical issues are likely to be encountered in the subsequent work to construct and open the line. This work is expected to be completed shortly.