Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Transport when the first phase of the western rail corridor is due to open; the projections in terms of passenger traffic on years one to five of its operation; the scale of subsidy the rail link will receive on an annual basis in its first five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36906/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In regard to the completion of the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor, I refer the Deputy to my answer given to PQs 201 and 202 on Wednesday 14th of the present month. The position remains unchanged.

The audit of the business case for the reintroduction of passenger rail services between Ennis and Athenry undertaken by Goodbody Economic Consultants in 2006 included an analysis of Irish Rail projections for passenger numbers and operating costs. This is published on the Transport 21 website of my Department at:http://www.transport21.ie/Publications/upload/File/Reintro%20Ennis%20to%20Athenry.pdf

The funding of the operation of the Western Rail Corridor, taking account of projected passenger traffic and operational costs, is a matter for Irish Rail in the context of its overall operations, having regard to funding available to it from fare revenue and the annual Exchequer public service obligation payment.