Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
562. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding from the sale of Aer Lingus could be used to reopen Dunleer railway station in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27109/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny proceeds from the sale of the State's minority shareholding in Aer Lingus will be paid into the Exchequer, and the Government has decided that such proceeds should be used to establish a new connectivity fund as a sub-portfolio of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. Under EUROSTAT rules, the proceeds arising from the sale of the State's shares in Aer Lingus represent the sale of a financial asset and will have no beneficial impact on Ireland's general Government balance, GGB. Accordingly, the money received will not provide any capacity for additional Government expenditure on a GGB-neutral basis. It is for this reason the proceeds will be allocated to this special fund, which will operate on a commercial basis.
As regards the reopening of Dunleer railway station, under the current capital plan the focus of Exchequer funding available for heavy rail is on protecting existing assets and maintaining safety standards. There is no Exchequer funding available for the re-opening of train stations such as Dunleer. Moreover, CIE is in a difficult financial position and it has no resources of its own to fund new stations. If additional funds become available under the next capital plan there will be many competing projects from all transport modes in all regions. Any additional funds will be prioritised for projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.
