Vol. 555 No. 4
133 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Transport if any part of the railway line linking Sligo with Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Rosslare via the western rail corridor is at immediate or impending risk of downgrading or closure; if funding for a feasibility study will be granted; if the Government will provide financial incentives to companies using this system of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/02]
I have no plans to downgrade or close any part of the railway system nor have I received any recommendation from Iarnród Éireann to do so. My Department is currently overseeing a major strategic review of the Irish railways the primary purpose of which is to provide the Government with a basis for establishing a strategic policy framework for the future development of the rail passenger and rail freight sector in Ireland. Following an extensive nationwide consultation exercise on the terms of reference for the review, my Department received over 150 submissions on rail issues in Ireland. The submissions were the subject of further discussion at public consultation workshops held in Limerick, Dublin and Sligo. I understand that the submissions include proposals relating to the development of a western rail corridor to link Sligo with Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Rosslare. These, and all the other rail proposals received, are currently being examined as part of the rail review. I expect that the review will be completed by the end of the year.
