Vol. 491 No. 6
29 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the economic and financial appraisal work on CIE's investment plans for the mainline rail network for the post-1999 period will be completed; the preliminary discussions, if any, she has had with the Department of Finance to secure matching Exchequer funding for CIE in relation to these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12845/98]
70 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the submission made to the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport by the group chief executive of CIE in which he said that the company would require £650 million over the next eight years to provide a quality passenger service; if it is intended to meet this funding requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12751/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 70 together.
I am aware that CIE has informed the Select Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport that an investment of £650 million is required over the next eight years in the mainline and suburban rail networks. CIE has recently submitted a review of mainline rail investment needs in the context of securing EU or other funding in the post-1999 period. The review identifies the need for further evaluation work, particularly an economic and financial appraisal of the proposed investment. I expect this work to be completed over the next few months. The company has also submitted an independent economic and financial appraisal of its Dublin suburban rail investment requirements.
