I propose to answer Questions Nos. 425 and 445 together.
On 2 November 2005, I met a delegation from the Midland Railway Action Group to discuss the matter of the re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar Railway line. At our meeting, it was agreed that the Group would revert to me with a detailed proposal, supported by a complimentary land use and settlement strategy.
Consequently a project team was established to develop such a proposal. The team is being led by Westmeath County Council and the membership includes officials from the Council, Iarnród Éireann, and Athlone Institute of Technology. The team is expected to submit its proposal by July this year. I will, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, consider this when it is submitted to me.