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Originally Posted by Navan Junction
Bingo.
Now apply that to every project in T21 and now you have the problem
It wasn't the boot into Navan. It was the boot into Transport 21
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Tom Finn only looked after IE projects within T21. So lets not concern ourselves with the bigger picture for now.I guess your crapping yourself in case Finn lost his job over Navan. If he did (and it looks like that according to media reports) then the Navan project is well and truly shrouded in political muck. IEs statement on the matter, which ran in yesterdays Sunday Indo, is yet more evidence. It reads like a DOT rep stood over Barry Kennys head with a gun. Here it is in all its glory.
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Iarnrod Eireann's scoping study and our presentation to Meath County Council, both stated that the Navan to Dunboyne line is economically viable - this is the only criteria that matters when evaluating transport projects, be they rail, road or other public transport.
Iarnrod Eireann's study therefore supports the development of the Navan line. The key issue for all such projects is that the economic benefits - in terms of time saving for citizens, reduced congestion, environmental benefits and reduced road accidents amongst others - justify the investment.
Our consultants report clearly states that the Navan rail line development meets and exceeds the Department of Finance's criteria in this regard, and that it is an economically viable project, as advised to Meath County Council last week.
As stated to the council at last weeks meeting, Iarnrod Eireann intends to progress this Transport 21 project with the Department of Transport and to develop the full preliminary design and business case in accordance with the processes for new capital projects.
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Finn wasn't available for comment and was said to be on annual leave.
Now most here know that I am a huge advocater of the Navan line. I havent changed my mind. But if it becomes a political hot potatoe, I believe that it can turn into another WRC. Its just another symptom of political interference screwing up the order and merit of rail projects. If that continues to gain momentum, then Navan will develop many enemies. Remember its getting a new motorway. Combined with a railway, we could be looking at a total investment of nearly 1 billion on what is a very short corridor. If that even remotely looks like happening at the expense of another project in the GDA, then there may be a public backlash. We need more clarity from Government and not empty statements. The Tom Finn situation is very alarming. He may know more than we give him credit for and he may have paid the price.