Rail Services.

Thursday, 9 December 2004

Questions (170)

Paddy McHugh

Question:

167 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the reopening of the western rail corridor; if he will consider the provision of a commuter rail link from Tuam to Galway as phase one of the overall western rail corridor project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32899/04]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Earlier this year, an expert working group, under the chairmanship of Mr. Pat McCann, chief executive, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, was appointed to carry out a full examination of the proposal to re-open the western rail corridor, including the Tuam to Galway link. The group is comprised of county managers, directors of the regional authorities, representatives of city and county development boards, the Western Development Commission, West-on-Track, the intercounty rail committee, Iarnród Éireann, the Railway Procurement Agency and my Department.

The working group is examining all aspects of the western rail corridor proposal and has held a number of meetings to date. I anticipate that the chairman of the group will be in a position to report to me on his findings early next year.