Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his long-term plans in relation to the western rail corridor as a railway line for both freight and passenger travel; if he will seek funds from the EU for its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27106/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The lifetime of the Government's current capital investment plan runs to 2016 and with the available funding  the priority for heavy rail is to protect the operational network and maintain safety standards, rather than the expansion of the network. Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) between Ennis to Athenry opened in March 2010 and final close out payments for this phase  have been included in the current capital plan.  Consideration of  the next phase was deferred.

Preparatory work on a new government capital investment plan to 2020 has begun. This will involve a focused review of the medium-term capital envelope to take account of investment priorities for the next 5 years. If additional funds are available there will be many competing transport projects across all modes and from all regions. Only projects for which there is a clear identifiable need, which are affordable, have a robust business case and add value to existing infrastructure, will be prioritised for funding to 2020.

In terms of specific initiatives being undertaken by Iarnród Éireann, that is a matter for the management of that company. I have referred the Deputy's question to them for a direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please contact my private office.

My officials will monitor available European funding opportunities to see if any present themselves. I am advised that when funding for Phase 1 of the WRC was considered in 2006, by a Government of which the Deputy was a member, there was no application made to the EU for funding.  I understand that this was due to the negative Net Present Value (NPV) of minus €137 million. EU funding is generally only available for projects assessed to have a positive benefit to cost ratio and positive NPV. Irish taxpayers' money has been used more liberally in the past.