Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cannon for raising this question and I acknowledge his strong advocacy for improving rail services from Athenry into Galway and in Galway in general. I am advised that a draft report has been finalised by Arup, the consultants. It has been agreed at official level and it is expected that the draft will be published for the purposes of an strategic environmental assessment, SEA, in July. Following the consultation process, the finalised report will be submitted for appropriate political approval on both sides of the Border. This is, however, complicated by the absence of an Executive in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of an Executive in Northern Ireland, approval will be considered, taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the UK's Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act 2022, and it is expected that a final review will be published in autumn of next year.

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