Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
474 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport when an application in respect of the provision of a high frequency commuter service serving the Donacarney, Laytown and Bettystown area of east Meath by a company (details supplied) will be fully processed and decided upon by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26268/06]
View answerThe Road Transport Act, 1932 provides the legislative basis for entry to the public transport market by private bus operators. In accordance with this legislation, private bus operators apply to my Department for Passenger Licences to operate coach and bus services within the State.
The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 30th January 2006 and is queued for processing based on the established practice that licence applications are dealt with on first come, first served basis.
My Department has been in contact with the Company's representative regarding this application and has requested additional information to be submitted in support of the application which when received will assist in making a decision on the matter.
475 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport if he will allocate extra funding to advance the Navan to Dublin rail link in order to deliver this infrastructural project prior to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26285/06]
View answer476 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has investigated the possibility of extending the Navan to Dublin rail link on to Kells and Oldcastle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26286/06]
View answer478 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport if a detailed plan for the implementation of the Navan to Dublin Rail Link under Transport 21 has been drawn up; the details of such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26302/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 475, 476 and 478 together.
Under Transport 21, it is proposed that the Navan Railway Line will be developed in two phases. The first phase will involve the construction of a spur off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla to Pace, beyond Dunboyne, due to be completed in 2009. Subject to further studies it is proposed to implement phase 2 of the project, the extension of the line to Navan, by 2015.
Iarnród Éireann has already completed a feasibility study for phase 1 and funding for design and planning work for this phase has recently been provided by my Department. This work will allow Iarnród Éireann to submit an application for a Railway Order in mid-2007.
Under Section 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, Fingal County Council has now made a Supplementary Development Contributions Scheme in relation to the project. This will facilitate private developer contributions towards the cost of the project. A similar scheme is currently being developed by Meath County Council.
In the meantime, funding has been approved and planning permission granted for the construction of the new city centre station in the Docklands. The station, which is due for completion in 2007, will serve all services from Dunboyne.
In relation to the extension of the line to Navan, Iarnród Éireann informs me that discussions are underway with Meath County Council in relation to the terms of reference for a scoping study for this section of the line. The study will consider, amongst other things, route options, costings and the timeframe for implementation of this phase of this project. There are no proposals at present to extend the line beyond Navan.
