Vol. 527 No. 1
45 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the meetings she has had recently in relation to the development of rail services in Cork and east Cork; her plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27821/00]
I met a delegation of council officials and public representatives from Midleton and the general Cork area on 18 October last to discuss the possibility of re-opening the Cork to Midleton rail line. I informed the delegation of my position generally with regard to the development of major public transport projects. Such projects are best considered when they are developed in line with appropriate land use planning policy and practice so that the appropriate scale of project is put in place to justify the capital and ongoing operating costs.
I understand that rail developments in the Cork area are currently being considered by consultants who have been engaged by Cork Corporation and Cork County Council to draw up the Cork Strategic Plan 2000-2020. The consultants recently issued an interim report which, among other things, contains proposals that the area along the corridor from Blarney via Cork to Midleton be rezoned for major development which could tie in with rail development proposals.
I informed the delegation that the strategy being adopted by the consultants accords, in principle, with my position on the development of major public transport projects. However, further work needs to be done, such as detailed cost/benefit analysis, an analysis of funding options, feasibility and demand analysis to demonstrate whether the proposed developments along the public transport corridor would be sufficient to justify undertaking the rail project.
