asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether the land on which railway lines were situated prior to their disuse or removal remains the property of Córas Iompair Éireann; what use CIE intend for such land; whether it is their intention to transfer the ownership of such land to the relevant local authorities; and whether any such land has as yet been disposed of by CIE in any way; and, if so, in what way.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of CIE Land.
22.
The land on which abandoned railway lines are situated remains the property of CIE until it is sold. In accordance with the relevant provisions of transport legislation, the Board is empowered to sell such land by public auction to any person. It is also empowered to sell such land by private treaty to an adjoining landowner, a local authority or a public utility undertaking.
I am informed by the Board that it is its usual policy to sell stations on abandoned railway lines by public auction and to sell the land between stations to the adjoining landowners, unless the local authority expresses an interest in acquiring any of the property. When agreement can be reached regarding price, property on abandoned branch lines required by local authorities is sold to them.
The Board has also informed me that during the past few years a large number of stations on abandoned branch lines have been sold by public auction. In addition, there have been a large number of individual sales of portions of land under abandoned lines to adjoining landowners. In the year ended 31st March last, such sales totalled about 500.