Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rail Network.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

83 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if CIE has submitted its economic and financial appraisal on its investment plans for the mainline rail network for the post 1999 period; the discussions, if any, she has had with the Department of Finance to secure matching Exchequer funding for CIÉ in relation to its investment proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22662/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

In the context of developing proposals for inclusion in Ireland's application for post-1999 EU funding, Iarnród Éireann submitted a mainline rail investments needs review. This discussion paper set out the company's proposals for capital investment. I understand that the company is currently preparing an economic and financial appraisal on its investment proposals which they hope to have completed by the end of the year.

In June this year my Department made an initial submission to the Department of Finance on EU funding for public transport projects in the post-1999 period. This submission takes account of reviews submitted by the CIE Group setting out their investment needs for bus and rail.

The question of matching Exchequer funding for rail or indeed any other projects will be addressed by Government when it is considering Ireland's national development plan for the post-1999 period, prior to its submission to the EU Commission.

I should explain that as a general rule matching Exchequer funding has not been provided for mainline rail projects which are in receipt of EU aid under the 1994 to 1999 programme. The balance of the funding required is provided by CIE from its own resources.

I am glad to say that for the first time the Government in 1999 and 2000 will be providing £37 million to meet the balance of the cost in the case of the mainline and suburban rail projects approved for funding under the Luas reallocation in June of this year.