Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Transport the estimated completion dates for the Navan rail line and the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5809/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor on a phased basis in the period to 2015. Work on the line between Ennis and Athenry commenced in 2007 and services are due to commence between Ennis and Athenry in the autumn of this year.

Planning and design work on phases 2 (Athenry — Tuam) and 3 (Tuam — Claremorris) is a matter for Iarnród Éireann as part of its Transport 21 programme. I understand that further studies are planned for 2009 to determine up to date costings of phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor.

Transport 21 provides for the development of the Navan Rail Link on a phased basis in the period to 2015. Work commenced on the Clonsilla — Dunboyne section (Phase 1) in late 2008 and is due for completion in 2010. The current position regarding the Dunboyne — Navan section (Phase 2) is that a scoping study has been completed and Iarnród Éireann is now proceeding to undertake a feasibility study on the two alternative routes identified in the scoping study. The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects in planning, such as phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor and phase 2 of the Navan Rail Link, will in each case be determined by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the availability of financial resources determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate.