Tony Killeen
Ceist:78 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the upgrading of the Ennis-Limerick railway line; when the work will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20541/01]
Written Answers. - Rail Network.
The Railway Safety Programme, 1999 to 2003, was agreed by Government in March 1999. It provides for an investment totalling £430.6 million over the five years of the programme, comprising £379.4 million for infrastructural safety works and £51.2 million for improvements to the safety management systems of Iarnród Éireann.
In relation to the Limerick to Ennis railway line, the programme provides for the renewal of 18 of the total 24 miles of this section. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that five miles of track on this line were renewed in 2000 and that a further five miles are programmed for renewal in 2001. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that they plan to have the entire section renewed by 2004.
The railway safety programme also includes provision for the carrying out of ancillary works on this line, such as fencing and the upgrading of some bridges and level crossings.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:79 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Iarnród Éireann cannot undertake work to repair the East Wall Road Bridge, damaged in a recent accident, until well into 2002 due to the commitment of its rail safety budget to other works; and if she will make a special capital provision to Iarnród Éireann to enable the necessary repair work to be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20542/01]
The Exchequer provision for railway safety in 2001 is £102 million. This is in line with the expenditure profile in the Railway Safety Programme, 1999 to 2003, which was approved by the Government in March 1999. Iarnród Éireann advised my Department on 7 June that it had reviewed its railway safety expenditure priorities in the light of available funding. The company had indicated that it intended to begin the renewal of the East Wall bridge in 2001 and to complete it in 2002. In light of the available funding for 2001 and its assessment of safety priorities, Iarnród Éireann is now proposing that all of the work will be carried out in 2002.
I recently asked my Department to carry out an early review of the scope for the possible provision of some additional funding for the Railway Safety Programme in 2001. If such funds become available, it will be a matter for Iarnród Éireann to reassess its priorities for safety expenditure.
The bridge has been struck by heavy goods vehicles on many occasions over the past number of years resulting in disruptions to train services and also giving rise to a potential significant risk to the safety of the railway. The integrity of the bridge has been affected and it needs to be replaced in order to remove this risk.
I understand that there are physical restrictions on heavy goods vehicles accessing a section of the East Wall Road pending the carrying out of this work. While I am aware that these restrictions have a disruptive effect on heavy vehicle traffic movement in the area, the restrictions are necessary to protect the integrity of the bridge pending its renewal.