Rail Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Questions (639)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

639. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the instruction he has provided to Iarnród Éireann to protect the land it holds along disused railway lines, and in particular if he has issued an instruction to preserve the integrity of the disused railway lines from Athenry in County Galway to Colooney in County Sligo, from Rathkeale in County Limerick to Tralee in County Kerry, and from Navan in County Meath to Kingscourt in County Cavan, and to prevent encroachment onto State lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18668/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

While I have not given any instruction to Irish Rail to protect the lands it holds along disused railway lines, I understand that Irish Rail is actively identifying encroachments on closed lines with a view to taking appropriate action, where necessary. For example, on the Athenry to Collooney line, clearance works have been programmed in order to identify definitive encroachments and then to establish a mechanism to ensure compliance.