The crucial factor to be considered in any decision to reopen a railway line, is the likely scale and pace of development along the rail corridor in question. The greater the critical mass of population and economic activity, the more likely a sustainable case can be made for rail investment. I have already made it clear to local authorities in other parts of the country that it is for them to develop and implement land use strategies which would support the case for rail investment. The best practical demonstration to date of such an approach is the development of the Midleton rail corridor.
While there are no immediate plans to reopen the Athlone to Mullingar line, the issue will be kept under review having regard to the matters to which I have already referred.