Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2007
506 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1224 of 31 January 2007, if his Department’s assessment on the reopening of the line is complete; if he will respond to the report submitted by the group in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/07]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the reopening of the Athlone-Mullingar rail line was not included in Transport 21 as the Strategic Rail Review did not recommended it as a priority project. I understand that the group referred to by the Deputy have had discussions with Iarnród Éireann which has agreed to provide the group with relevant information to enable them to make a submission to the local authorities for funding under the Gateways Innovation fund.
507 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1225 of 31 January 2007, his plans to upgrade the Dublin to Westport rail service; the status of this upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20881/07]
View answerThe provision of services on the Dublin to Westport line is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. However, I understand that the resignalling works on the Westport and Ballina lines have recently been completed. I have also been informed by the company that they intend to introduce new rolling stock on the service in late 2008 and that this will result in an increase in the daily frequency of service on the line from the current level of three services each way to five services each way.
