This article is from page 2 of the 2007-03-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
MINISTERS have raised doubts over the findings of an independ- ent review by Irish Rail consultants, dealing with the likely costs of the Ennis to Athenry railway line.
The review claims that only 600 people a day will use the line and that it could lose up to €12 million in its first five years.
Speaking in Athenry last week, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon O Cuiv questioned the accuracy of the fig- ures used in the consultants report.
“Look at the number of homes which are being built or planned to
be built. 300 to 400 passengers are already using the Ennis-Limerick line, even though there are only two stations open on it at present,’ said elo cODEODISI Kose
“What will those numbers be like when this service into Galway opens up fully, with stops at many stations along the route including Gort, Ar- drahan, Craughwell and the Oran- more station which will also be re- opening?, he asked.
Transport minister, Martin Cullen has confirmed that Irish Rail’s busi- ness case anticipates that the line will lose €2.4 million per annum.
Minister Cullen gave the go-ahead for re-opening the €106 million En-
nis to Athenry rail-link, despite Irish Rail stating that it didn’t meet the eco- nomic criteria required for approval of large-scale capital projects.
‘‘An independent review of the busi- ness case for that project indicated that Irish Rail may have underesti- mated the likely demand somewhat, which would tend to overstate the estimated deficit,’ said Minister Cul- len.
“The extent of the subvention re- quired to meet the deficit will be- come clear when services commence operation. At that stage, the subven- tion required will be determined in the context of the overall subvention requirements of Irish Rail and CIE.
This is determined annually, as part of the estimates and budgetary proc- Con
Clare’s Green Party candidate Bri- an Meaney has called on all parties to continue to support the Ennis to yall ilosst marae eb iten
“It 1s important that the operation of the service is fully supported by government. There is no business that has a model that delivers profits in its first year,’ he said.
“There has to be a long-term com- mitment from all players and I have no doubt that the line north of Ennis will be an economic success and be as viable as the Ennis to Limerick rail line,” he added.