[article] Nine More Years Before Rail Comes To Navan

Meath Chronicle, Sat, Jul 14 01

 

THE scheduled date for provision of the Navan-Dublin rail link is

2010, Environment and Local Government Minister Noel Dempsey has

said, as Fine Gael TD John Bruton criticised the government’s

environmental record, in particular its approach to the greenhouse

gas emissions crisis.

 

Mr. Bruton said Ireland must make a “substantial move from car to

bus/rail commuting” in order to honour its solemn EU commitments on

greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Accord.

 

It would be a “disgrace” if, as the Minister had admitted, present

trends tending towards a 24% above the commitments level in 2010

continued. “A rail link to Navan is an urgent environmental and

financial necessity,” he stressed.

 

The FG TD asked Public Enterprise Minister Mary 0′Rourke in the Dail

for a detailed report on the rail link.

 

Mrs. 0′Rourke responded that completion in 2006 of the first phase, a

spur from Clonsilla to Dunboyne, was envisaged. The expected date for

completion of phase two, the Navan link, was 2010.

 

However, Mr. Bruton repeated his claim that “there is no money in the

NDP for the Navan rail link”.

 

The Environment and Local Government Minister welcomed the FG TD’s

interest in the issue “since he left the office of Taoiseach”. It

would have been even more useful if he had shown the same interest

when he was in office, said Mr. Dempsey.

 

Mr. Dempsey added: “Deputy Bruton knows that this Fianna Fail-led

government, at my instigation, ensured that the rail link to Navan

was included in the DTO strategy `A Platform For Change’.”

 

He outlined the plan to provide it in two stages. Details for the

route, number of stations and costs were a matter for the relevant

authorities. “I am sure that these authorities will pick the optimum

route consistent with providing the fastest, most efficient service

which will make it attractive for consumers to leave their cars and

use the rail link,” he said.