Iarnród Éireann informs me that since 1997, 52 miles of the line between Athlone and Westport have been renewed at a cost of €33 million. A further 15 miles are programmed for renewal this year at a cost of approximately €14.9 million and 13 miles are planned for 2003. This will complete the work on the upgrading the line to Westport. When completed, total investment on the Athlone to Westport line will have amounted to approximately €60 million.
I expect to receive shortly from CIE proposals to acquire 67 new rail carriages for mainline rail services and I hope to be in a position to convey my decision shortly thereafter. The allocation of these carriages to particular routes is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, but their acquisition will lower the age profile of mainline rolling stock on the network and see the older carriages being retired and replaced by newer more suitable ones.