Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Deputy Troy on finishing the Dublin marathon in four hours and 15 minutes. It was an extraordinary achievement. The Deputy will only have to stay here for the next hour and a half, so he should be able to manage that.

The question before the House is very fair in many ways.

I have no idea about the leak. I regret the leak and I think it is a great pity that it happened. However, the report is due for release shortly and I will come to that in a moment.

As I indicated at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport's meeting on 5 October, I have received a copy of the rail review conducted by the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail. It examines the funding parameters required to support our rail network now and in future. I have already stated that I will bring the report to Cabinet and then immediately arrange for its publication and the commencement of a public consultation process to be conducted by the National Transport Authority. I intend to do this next week.

The review identifies a funding gap for Irish Rail based on the projected allocations prior to budget 2017. In the meantime, decisions under budget 2017 provide for additional funding of over €50 million to Irish Rail next year. This significant increase in funding for next year allows for increasing investment in maintenance and renewal of the network and the rolling stock as well as to provide more funding for safety projects. It is also encouraging to note that Irish Rail is experiencing business growth, with increases in the number of passenger journeys. The reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel in the coming weeks for commuter services from the Kildare line to the stations between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock and the expansion of DART services to a ten-minute frequency will also help to grow the business.

While there has been much speculation regarding the future of individual rail lines, I wish to emphasise that no decisions will be taken on any of the options identified in the review in advance of the full process of public consultation. The latter will give the public and other interested parties the opportunity to see the analysis on rail funding and to contribute to all aspects of the debate on the future of rail.

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