Written answers

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to complete the Western Arc project before the end of this Government’s term [45132/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As I have indicated to the House previously, I have no plans at this time to develop a so-called "Western Arc" from Cork to Belfast as this would require both the re-opening of the remaining phases of the Western Rail Corridor and also the development of new rail lines to connect with the rail network in Northern Ireland.  

The Government’s programme for the funding of capital projects to 2016 is set out in the "Medium Term Exchequer Framework 2012-16 ". Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure the priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority will only be provided for projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation. Moreover the ability to operate profitably and without the need of any subsidy would also be a key consideration for any new rail projects or extensions. 

We have no money for new subsidies. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Programme for Government and in particular the commitment that: "We will insist that major capital projects are subjected to proper cost-benefit analysis and evaluation, improving future productivity and growth prospects, and that the value-for-money obtained is significantly enhanced compared to the most recent period."  

Furthermore, the AECOM/Goodbody “2030 Rail Network Strategy Review” carried out for Iarnród Éireann examined the potential for new and re-opened lines and it did not recommend the development of a rail link between Sligo and Derry or between Donegal and Derry. Likewise its predecessor, the “Strategic Rail Review” in 2003 did not recommend such rail links.  

It should also be noted that the Northern Ireland Executive has no proposals to provide such new rail lines. For the Deputy's information, Sinn Féin's recently published Jobs Plan which provides for "€13 billion additional investment in job creation and economic growth over [the next] four years" does not provide for any investment in these new rail links and services.

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