Pat Breen
Ceist:468 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if Iarnród Éireann intends to upgrade the Ennis-Athenry railway line in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18835/03]
Written Answers. - Rail Network.
The western rail corridor, which includes the Ennis-Athenry line, was one of a number of schemes that was evaluated in the recently published strategic rail review. While it was noted in the report that this particular scheme complements the objectives of the national spatial strategy, the consultants did not include it in their recommended investment strategy.
The review found that a separate detailed evaluation of the western rail corridor involving complementary land use and settlement policies would need to be examined rigorously to ensure that the scheme, or any element of it, satisfies rail viability requirements in terms of patronage and revenue generation.