Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2008
313 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the western rail corridor; if the project to Claremorris will be completed in the time scale as set out in Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35754/08]
View answerTransport 21 provides for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor on a phased basis in the period to 2015. Work on the line between Ennis and Athenry is due for completion in May 2009 and services between Galway and Limerick are due to commence in early summer 2009. My Department has allocated €60 million to Iarnród Éireann for expenditure this year on the Western Rail Corridor.
Planning and design work on phases 2 (Athenry — Tuam) and 3 (Tuam — Claremorris) is a matter for Iarnród Éireann as part of its Transport 21 programme. The start and completion date of Transport 21 projects, such as phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor will be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate.
