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

The Deputy was no doubt moving on full steam from LH 2000.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 19, 29, 32 and 59 together.

As I mentioned in my earlier response to Deputy Canney, the strategic rail review is being undertaken in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the island of Ireland over the coming decades. The review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Kingscourt line.

Separately the Deputy will be aware of the work under way by the National Transport Authority in its review of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. The draft review is recommending the development of a rail line to Navan by 2042. I understand that this rail line will utilise the old Kingscourt line over a short distance to connect the proposed Navan central station and a proposed Navan north station.

More generally, I can assure Deputies that as well as looking at issues relating to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity and the potential for high and higher speeds, the rail review will also consider improved connectivity to the north west and the Border region.

I have already stated my belief in the potential of rail. It is essential that we identify current constraints in the rail sector, then balance decarbonisation priorities, economic growth and rural connectivity objectives to achieve a strategy which allows rail to fulfil its potential as a resilient and sustainable mode of transport and generator of economic growth for people across Ireland. The strategic rail review will assist in and inform this debate, including I hope, on the reopening of the Kingscourt line, and I look forward to the completion of the review later this year.

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