Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made with the planning of the re-development of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Tuam, County Galway; the funds approved for this work; when this planning work will conclude; when construction will begin on this section of line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5293/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In November 2010, the National Recovery Plan set out new capital budgets for the Department of Transport in the period 2011-2014. The new allocations mean that it will not now be possible to meet the original timeline for all Transport 21 projects.

Under the plan, there is provision for some initial planning and design for Phase 2 of the Western Rail Corridor but further progress will be dependent on a review of the performance of Phase 1 and a full economic assessment of Phase 2.

In this regard, my Department has received an application for funding from Iarnród Eireann for the detailed design and tender preparation stage for Phase 2, Athenry to Tuam.

This will be considered in light of revised priorities having regard to the new Programme for Government including, in particular, the proposed new National Development Plan 2012-2019.