Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he was informed that the new station at Hansfield and the necessary upgrade of Clonsilla Station had not been included by Iarnród Éireann in their Dunboyne rail order application scheme; his views on whether this undermines the strategic development zone planning process; if he will make a submission to An Bord Pleanála on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30701/07]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make contact with the Department of Transport and Iarnród Éireann to impress upon them the importance of including the new station at Hansfield and the necessary upgrade of Clonsilla Station in the Dunboyne rail order as a key element of the Hansfield strategic development zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30702/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 635 and 636 together.

Both my Department and the Department of Transport have been working effectively together for some years now to ensure better integrated land use and transportation planning, with particular regard to enabling the development of strategically located areas within the Gateways identified in the National Spatial Strategy.

Examples of good integration between land use planning and transportation include the development of three Strategic Development Zones (SDZ's) in Dublin. Development at Adamstown is proceeding in tandem with the provision of new suburban rail services to Dublin. Public consultation on the planning scheme for the Balgaddy-Clonburris SDZ closed on 15 October 2007 and includes the provision of rail services.

As regards the rail services at the Hansfield SDZ, Iarnród Éireann made an application under the Strategic Infrastructure Act to An Bord Pleanála on 7 September 2007 for a new rail link between Clonsilla and Dunboyne, running through the Hansfield SDZ. It is my understanding that the proposal from Iarnród Éireann includes the standard provisions for a new train station at Hansfield and upgraded facilities at Clonsilla. The precise detail of station design and specification within the Iarnród Éireann application to An Bord Pleanála is an operational matter for the Board to consider within the context of its functions under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.