Vol. 501 No. 6
146 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether any feasibility studies have been carried out on the reopening of the Cork to Midleton railway line; if she has seen any study; if so, if she intends to make the content's available to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7251/99]
I understand that preliminary feasibility work was carried out by CIE in the course of its preparation of the public transport investment needs review for the greater Cork area. The review was submitted to my Department but not the supporting preparatory work. Publication of any of the preparatory work would be a matter for the company.
The CIE review concluded that, based on current population levels and commuter patterns, the necessary investment in the Cork to Midleton line could not be justified in the short to medium term, but that the option should be kept under review in the longer term.
In a report I made to Government last week on the future development of suburban rail in Dublin and Cork I suggested that the reopening of this line could be considered, not on the basis of current passenger demand but in anticipation of future developments. The Government agreed that I should arrange for the detailed costing and feasibility work on the various suburban rail proposals. The outcome of this work will be considered as part of the strategic transport needs for the country as a whole in the context of the preparation of the national development plan.
