Dan Neville
Question:386 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Transport if the railway line between Limerick and Foynes will remain open in view of the commitment given by his predecessor. [22611/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Irish Rail informs me that no freight services currently 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, should future business opportunities arise.
The strategic rail review, which is nearing completion, will provide a strategic policy framework for the future development of the rail network in the light of the emerging spatial planning and regional development policies and local land use and transportation studies. The future development of the Foynes rail line will be considered in the context of the outcome of this review. I expect the strategic rail review will be published in late January 2003.