Written answers

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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1697. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Pace to Navan rail link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33738/14]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The current capital investment plan covers the period 2012 to 2016 and with the available funding the plan prioritised the protection of the existing operational heavy rail network and the maintenance of safety standards, rather than the expansion of the network. The bulk of the funding over these years is required for rail safety and renewal.  Moreover on the basis of recent studies it is clear that the maintenance and renewal of the existing network will require increased resources in order to ensure a reliable and competitive rail network. Work on a new government capital investment plan to 2019 is underway. This  involves a focused review of the current plan and the setting of  investment priorities for the next five years.

If additional funds are available over and above what is required to maintain existing assets there will be many competing transport projects across all modes. In such an eventuality 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 in the new capital plan.

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