Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
822 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the procedure and timeframe involved in approving the railway works order which is required for the extension of the Kilkenny ring road; if he will expedite the process and the funding required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1668/04]
View answerI received the application for a railway order for the necessary alteration of track resulting from the construction of the Kilkenny city ring road from CIE on 9 January 2004. The procedure that must now be followed is set out in the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001. Under the Act, I am required to appoint an independent inspector to carry out a public inquiry into the application. I am currently in the process of making this appointment. Matters related to the public inquiry are then a matter for the inspector and, therefore, it is not possible to say, with any degree of accuracy, how long the entire application process will take. Following the public inquiry, the inspector will submit a report to me and I will take into account the findings and any other submissions made to me in the matter when deciding on the application. Funding for the work is a matter for Kilkenny County Council, the National Roads Authority and Iarnród Éireann.
