Vol. 555 No. 3
230 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the full mileage of railtrack which is currently in use here for both rail and passenger service; the railtrack lines which have been closed over the past ten years; the status of the Foynes to Limerick rail line; and if his Department is supportive of the proposed closure or downgrading of the Limerick to Waterford rail line or Manulla junction to Ballina line or the Gorey to Rosslare Europort line. [18574/02]
Iarnród Éireann informs me that the current rail network comprises 1,140 route miles of which 1,002 are joint passenger and freight lines and 138 route miles are freight only lines. They also have informed me that no lines have been formally closed or abandoned over the past ten years.
They have indicated that freight services have ceased to operate on the Limerick to Foynes line on the grounds that no viable rail business has been offered from Foynes over recent years. The line is being held on a care and maintenance basis.
Iarnród Éireann advise me that the rail line from Dublin to Rosslare Harbour, via Gorey, is currently being upgraded with significant EU and Exchequer grant assistance. Some five miles of track are being renewed this year and 18 more are programmed for 2003. It is planned to have the whole line completed by end 2003. The line from Manulla Junction to Ballina is also the subject of significant upgrading with the assistance of EU and Exchequer grants. Upgrading the line to Westport will be finished by end 2002, and the section from Manulla Junction to Ballina by the end of 2004. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that no decision has been made to downgrade the line from Limerick Junction to Rosslare. The question of the upgrade of this railway line, and others, is being considered as part of the strategic rail review.
The strategic rail review will set out a blueprint for the future development of the railway and the question of re-opening a closed line or further developing an existing railway line will be considered as part of that review. This report is due to be completed before the end of this year.
