Dáil Éireann - Volume 508 - 29 September, 1999

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

240. Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to include a rail link from Dublin city to Dublin Airport and to Navan in the national development plan with a view to having it constructed during the lifetime of the plan; and the state of evaluation of these projects. [18078/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke): The Government earlier this year agreed to detailed costing and feasibility studies being carried out on a longer term suburban rail development programme for the greater Dublin area. CIE has now commissioned a consultancy firm to carry out these studies and I expect them to be completed by end year.

The options being considered for the future development of the suburban rail network include the possible provision of rail links to Dublin Airport and also to Navan, which has been identified as a primary development centre in the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area. I expect that the national development plan will make appropriate provision to [242] implement the recommendations of the current studies.