Vol. 500 No. 6
16 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received a copy of the Wexford Council of Trade Unions, Profile of the Dublin to Rosslare Rail Link; her views on the report; if she will consider the rail line for major upgrading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4571/99]
I received a copy of the report by the Wexford Council of Trades Unions on the Rosslare-Dublin rail link. I also discussed the line with a deputation from the south-east region of SIPTU. The question of providing additional funding for the upgrade of railway lines is currently being addressed in two ways.
First, I am giving urgent and detailed consideration to the report of the high level task force on railway safety which was asked to prepare a report with prioritised recommendations to address the issues identified in the IRMS Review of Railway Safety in Ireland.
The report includes a detailed five year safety implementation programme covering both infrastructure investment and improved safety management. I will bring the report and my proposals on it to Government at the earliest possible opportunity.
Second, in the context of preparing Ireland's application for EU funding in the post-1999 period, my Department made an initial submission to the Department of Finance last June for aid for public transport projects. Upgrading of the Dublin-Rosslare line was included in this submission.
