Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Éamon Ryan, I thank Deputy Cannon for the opportunity to address this issue and to provide the House with an update on the future all-island strategic rail review. As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Transport, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, has commissioned the all-island strategic rail review. The two Departments have collaborated closely throughout the review.

The Minister for Transport and the Minister for Infrastructure have met on several occasions to discuss the review, announce the public consultation and be updated on the latest progress. The results of the review will inform the development of the railway sector on the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

The all-island strategic rail review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, including the potential for higher speed and high-speed, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways.

The review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines, including the western rail corridor. The review has been informed by a public consultation process which concluded last year and which received a great response both North and South. Work on the review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of strategic environmental assessment, SEA, public consultation later this month. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected to be published this autumn, following Government approval.

Until the report is finalised, it would be premature to discuss publication arrangements or specific projects within the report. However, it is worth emphasising that this has been a collaborative effort between the two Departments from the outset. This is the first all-island review of the network since the formation of the State and will provide a framework to develop a much-needed improved rail network in the decades ahead.

I look forward to its publication as I believe the review will provide an opportunity for transformative change in the system. Separately, it is important to note that €4.65 million has been allocated to Galway County Council in 2023 for greenways. This allocation relates to the Connemara greenway and a potential greenway between Athenry and Milltown. With regard to the Connemara greenway, a 76 km long route connecting Galway city and Clifden, the €3.9 million allocation is being split between three projects as follows. Some €1.2 million has been allocated to a section between Galway city to Oughterard. Galway County Council has progressed the section to the options selection phase. Some €2.5 million has been allocated to a 21 km section between Clifden and Recess. This section is due to be completed in December 2023. Some €200,000 has been allocated to a section between Derrygimlagh and Kylemore Abbey.

This section is at the scoping and pre-appraisal stage. A total of €300,000 has been allocated to the proposed Athenry to Milltown greenway, a 45 km route along the disused railway between Athenry and Milltown. This greenway has been identified as having a high value as a commuter route. This route is currently at the scoping and pre-appraisal stage. A strategic assessment report has been completed and a feasibility report is being prepared.

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