Vol. 495 No. 6
99 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the £500 million submission made by Iarnód Éireann for development of bus and rail services includes a proposal to develop the rail line for Athlone, County Westmeath, to Westport and Ballina, County Mayo; the nature and priority accorded to this area of line; if so, the costing in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20927/98]
Earlier this year an independent safety review of railway infrastructure, covering jointed track, signalling and telecommunications, was carried out for Iarnród Éireann by A.D. Little. Following the submission of the consultants' report to my Department, I asked the CIE board to prepare a railway safety investment plan. That plan includes a track renewal programme for the Westport-Ballina line. It does not contain specific costings for the work proposed in relation to individual lines.
In March I commissioned a strategic review of all aspects of railway safety to be carried out by consultants, International Risk Management Services (IRMS). The review is nearing completion and will be published.
I will consider Iarnród Éireann's railway safety investment plan in conjunction with the IRMS review and make appropriate recommendations to the Government at an early date.
