Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Transport the position with regard to the proposed Shannon to Limerick rail link; when the steering group is expected to report to him; the last estimated cost his Department believed the creation of a link would cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25230/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 does not provide for the construction of a rail link between Limerick and Shannon Airport. The feasibility study carried out on behalf of Iarnród Éireann with input from a steering group representative of local interests concluded that the economic case for the rail link is poor.

I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the feasibility study indicated there would be significant capital expenditure for the rail link, ranging from €245 million for a very minimal service to €633 million for a 25 minute journey to Limerick and a 65 minute journey to Galway, in addition to an ongoing increase in subvention. Iarnród Éireann has no plans to undertake any further work on the proposal at this stage.