Vol. 505 No. 6
93 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if an application has or will be made for EU grant assistance to re-open the Cork to Midleton rail link; if not, the consideration, if any, she will give to making an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14574/99]
In a report I made to Government last March on the future development of suburban rail in Dublin and Cork, I suggested that the re-opening of the Cork to Midleton rail link could be considered, not on the basis of current passenger demand, but in anticipation of future developments, such as population and industrial growth along the rail corridor and changing commuter patterns.
The Government agreed that I should arrange for detailed costing and feasibility work on various suburban rail proposals in Dublin and Cork. The evaluation of the Cork to Midleton rail link should establish whether there is a basis for re-opening the line. If the analysis supports the re-opening of the line, I will then give urgent consideration to appropriate funding arrangements for the project.
