Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on rail transportation and the way it may contribute to national economic development; his further views on the development of a national rail network outside of Dublin in conjunction with the national roads programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3187/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I remain committed to the development of rail transportation in Ireland. This commitment is reflected in the provision of over €600m in Exchequer funding for investment in public transport infrastructure in 2010. Significant progress has been made in the recent past through investment in the rail network such as under the railway safety programme, the purchase of new carriages and the opening of the Cork to Midleton rail line. Further progress will be made this year with the opening of phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor, the completion of the upgrade of the Kildare line and the opening of phase 1 of the Navan line.

As I have stated previously my priority for future investment in public transport infrastructure is the provision of additional capacity and, in this regard, Metro North and DART Underground are important projects. More generally, the transport infrastructure projects and programmes selected for continued investment will be guided by the overarching priorities set out by the Minister for Finance for capital investment, namely strengthening the productive capacity of the economy and sustaining employment. Investment in this infrastructure will add to Ireland's capital stock and help support the development of a competitive productive economy in the long term.