Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1045. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the reopening of the Dunleer railway station in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34002/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the rail network and stations on the network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

Iarnród Éireann remains in a challenging position financially and has limited resources of its own available to fund new projects.  The company has not made any proposal to my Department regarding Dunleer railway station and the reopening of the station is not included in the public transport projects under the Government's current Capital Plan. 

The first priority under the Capital Plan is to ensure the maintenance of our existing transport infrastructure at steady state levels so that it remains safe and fit for purpose.  In view of the current constraints on funding, the priority for the heavy rail network under the Plan is to improve efficiency and maintain safety standards, rather than expanding the network, opening new stations or re-opening existing stations.