Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cannon. The Government very much shares the ambition for the twin tracking of the rail line between Athenry and Galway city the Deputy mentioned.

The programme for Government makes a strong commitment to fundamentally change the nature of transport in Ireland, and to deliver on this commitment we need a whole of system perspective across all modes of transport, whether that is active travel, bus or rail. Getting that whole-of-system perspective requires evidence-based and plan-led transport infrastructure development, as well as transport infrastructure development that integrates with and acts as a catalyst for improved land-use planning. Land use planning means that local authorities locate houses, jobs and other facilities along high-capacity transport corridors. That is the framework of many of our EU and international peers and is the framework that can deliver fundamental change for the better.

In the next few years, I want a real focus on that type of delivery. There is a transport strategy for Galway, and now a regional, spatial and economic strategy. There is also a Galway metropolitan area strategy. It is critical that this connects to land development. The Deputy mentioned population growth in Athenry, Oranmore, Ardaun and new areas. It is critical that the connection between new public transport infrastructure and new housing developments goes together.

Many people are correct in thinking that the capacity of development along the corridor and in those centres is held back by the single track nature of the existing line. I know of others who consider that there is the potential to develop commuter services along the corridor, and a move to a double track would alleviate the congestion coming into Galway city. As the Deputy said, there is a particular problem in the Parkmore Industrial Estate with people entering and exiting the estate every morning and evening.

In a series of meetings I held recently with various stakeholders in the Galway area, this is the one project that everyone agreed needed to be progressed. It is viewed as a project that can deliver real improvement to people's lives, cut journey times, alleviate congestion and take a large number of private cars off the streets of the city and its suburbs. I am glad to say that my Department, through the NTA, is this year funding a feasibility study for development options on this rail corridor. The study will identify the short, medium and long-term capacity improvement options for the Athenry to Galway rail line. The study will commence by November and will be finished by quarter 2 of 2021. It will consider all options, including indicating high level costs, and provide recommendations as regards prioritising projects for delivery.

I fully intend to incorporate the recommendations of that study into the consideration of priorities as we look to review the national development plan. I want the improvements on the corridor, as well as the development opportunities identified by Deputy Cannon, to be delivered. He can be assured that my Department is fully supportive of Galway County Council's applications this year to the urban regeneration and development fund for works at Oranmore Station in the meantime. The project can act as an enabler for compact and sustainable growth in Oranmore and the Galway city region. The rail improvements planned at Oranmore, however, including the addition of a second platform and a new passing loop, can only deliver short-term improvements to rail services generally in the region.

I hope that this response provides the Deputy with an update on the various strands of work under way that will lay the groundwork for significant upgrade and twin tracking of the line in the years to come.

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