Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rail Network.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

187 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that CIE intends to dispose of the North Kerry railway line from Ballinagarrane, outside Rathkeale, to the Kerry border, outside Abbeyfeale; if her attention has further been drawn to the danger that at least part of this line may be lost to public ownership; if she will support the proposal of the Great Southern Trail Company that this line could be used as a recreational trail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9642/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The North Kerry line ran from Tralee to Ballingrane Junction and was closed to traffic in 1975. As it was no longer required for operational purposes the line was finally abandoned by order made by the board of CIE in 1987.

I understand that, over the years, the property department of CIE has been in lengthy discussions with Shannon Development, in conjunction with Kerry and Limerick County Councils, with a view to disposing of the line in one lot. However, no satisfactory conclusion to these discussions was reached.

The board of CIE, at its February 1998 meeting, decided to afford both Shannon Development and the county councils one last opportunity to purchase the line. Kerry County Council are now in discussions with CIE with regard to the Kerry portion of the line and a response is awaited from Limerick County Council with regard to the Limerick portion.

I am aware that the Great Southern Trail Company, to whom CIE gave permission to develop a small portion of the line at Newcastlewest as a walkway, is interested in developing the line as a recreational trail. However, it would not be for me to support any particular proposal for the disposal of this or any other line.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

188 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Public Enterprise further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 11 March 1999, the timescale for arranging the detailed costing and feasibility work on the suburban rail proposals; the costings in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9690/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The feasibility and costings studies for the suburban rail proposals that I announced on 4 March will be the responsibility of CIE and Iarnród Éireann, who are currently preparing the terms of reference for the work. The costings involved will not be available until the studies have been completed.

It is hoped that CIE will be in a position to go to tender for the work in the near future.