Vol. 541 No. 4
210 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the existence of a rail feasibility study (details supplied); if she will publish this feasibility study; and the plans she has for a new feasibility study. [22708/01]
The strategic review of railway commuter services in Cork, which was undertaken last year by Ove Arup for CIE, was made available to the consultants who were engaged by Cork Corporation and Cork County Council to develop the Cork Area Strategic Plan 2001-2020. The recommendations in the study were taken into account in the formulation of that plan. I understand that hard copies of the Ove Arup report are available from Iarnród Éireann.
I understand that the draft final report of the Cork area strategic plan is currently under discussion by Cork Corporation and Cork County Council. I have asked Iarnród Éireann to carry out a detailed study into the rail aspects of the plan, if and when it is adopted by the councils. I am advised that the studies undertaken to date have been strategic in nature and what is needed now is an in-depth assessment of the financial, engineering, operational and demand aspects of the rail proposals contained in the plan.
