Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 816: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views regarding the development of the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30832/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in 2005 my colleague, the Minister of Transport, announced the proposed re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) on a phased basis as part of Transport 21. I understand that work is continuing on the first phase of the Corridor, from Ennis to Athenry and it is on target to be completed by the end of the year. The Government is committed to progressing planning on the Corridor and the immediate next step, following completion of phase 1, will be for Iarnród Éireann to undertake a detailed evaluation of phases 2 (Athenry-Tuam) and 3 (Tuam-Claremorris) with a view to arriving at precise costs to undertake these works.

The current funding environment is difficult and it will not be possible to progress all the projects in Transport 21 in accordance with the ambitious timescale envisioned at its launch. However, the Minister for Transport is seeking to progress planning of projects, such as phases 2 and 3 of the WRC, to ensure that we are in a position to move speedily to construction when financial circumstances permit. As part of the support for this project, my own Department has provided funding of €3.5m towards line clearance work.