Michael Ring
Question:73 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise his plans to reopen the railway line from Claremorris, County Mayo to Athenry, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21566/01]
Written Answers. - Rail Network.
Jim Higgins
Question:74 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her estimate of the cost to re-open the railway line from Collooney to Clare morris and the line from Claremorris to Limerick for passenger and freight traffic. [22555/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together.
There are no plans at present to re-open the railway line from Collooney to Limerick which incorporates the Claremorris to Athenry section.
However, arising from the report, Iarnród Éireann: The Way Forward, my Department will be carrying out a rail strategy study to develop a long-term approach to rail services. It can be expected that the prospects for re-opening the railway line from Collooney to Limerick and other proposals which have a regional development dimension will be examined in the course of the study.
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the estimated capital cost, excluding rolling stock, of re-opening the railway line from Collooney to Limerick for both passenger and freight traffic is of the order of £100 million – 127 million approximately.