Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
340 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the draft railway order for the Kildare route project from CIE; the estimated cost of the project; when the public inquiry into this project will be held; if funding will be available to proceed with the Kildare route project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29298/04]
View answerIrish Rail recently submitted to my Department a business case for a significant increase in capacity on the Kildare rail line to cater for growth in suburban and intercity services operating to and from Heuston Station. The total cost of the project has been estimated at €400 million. An application for a railway order and the setting up of a public inquiry would only be made to me after an assessment of the business case has been completed and the project approved. The Irish Rail proposal is predicated on most of the funding for the project being provided by the Exchequer. This is one of the aspects of the project being considered in my Department and I expect to make a decision in the matter in the near future.
