Reopening the rail line linking Dublin and Pace, north of Dunboyne in Meath, is dependent on extra capacity in the city centre, Iarnród Éireann's strategic planning and development manager, Mr Tom Finn, told Meath county councillors yesterday.
Mr Finn was presenting the results of a feasibility study into reinstatement of a rail line between Clonsilla, Dublin, and Pace. The councillors heard the project would have a "very high negative rate of return" and would not be financially viable.
However, on an economic basis, taking into account such factors as environmental benefits, time and accident savings, the feasibility study showed the project was economically viable.
The Labour Party's Meath by-election candidate, Cllr Dominic Hannigan, a transport specialist, took issue with the costings provided. They showed that railway infrastructure would cost about €68 million, property acquisition €40 million and railcar fleet €48 million. He estimated the cost would be about double that figure.
Initially consultants for the Government's strategic rail review in 2003 concluded there was no economic case for reopening the entire Dublin to Navan line. These consultants did not analyse the the shorter section from Clonsilla to Pace.
Fine Gael by-election candidate Mr Shane McEntee said the rail line should go all the way to Navan. The Sinn Féin candidate, Cllr Jo Reilly, said that the rail line to Navan must be provided with funds under the 2006 National Development Plan.