Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 1067: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the Mullingar to Athlone railway line, County Westmeath; if he will suggest alternative uses for unused railway lines generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23509/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Matters relating to the re-opening, or alternatives uses for, unused rail lines are a matter for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance. There are currently no plans to re-open the Mullingar to Athlone rail line.

The level of funding available for public transport investment from 2012 to 2016 will be dependent on the outcome of the review of capital expenditure which is being overseen by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and is currently underway. This review, which takes place against a background of new funding realities, is examining capital programmes and projects taking account of their overall economic impact and job creation potential. A major consideration for transport investment over the next five years will be the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards. This of necessity will greatly limit any possibility of re-opening unused rail lines. Moreover, I will have to reduce operating subsidies paid to Iarnród Eireann considerably over the next two years which make it impossible to take on any new lines that will not make an operating profit.