I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 12, 23, 28, 32, 63 and 69 together.
Work is already underway under the supervision of the Department of Finance on the preparation of a national development plan which will set out the Government's priorities for the use of EC funds available to Ireland from the next tranche of the Structural Funds and from the Cohesion Fund.
As part of this process the Government will be seeking EC funding for an integrated package of transport measures, including improvements in strategic rail links. In this regard a major study of the existing mainline rail network has been undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and CIE and with the assistance of independent consultants. The outcome of this work in under consideration at present. Decisions on the allocation of EC funds to the mainline railway network will be dependent on the Government's assessment of overall national priorities and on the outcome of detailed negotiations with the EC authorities.