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

I thank the Deputy for the question. As he may be aware, the national development plan, NDP, contains a commitment to the western rail corridor being considered as part of the all-island strategic rail review. This review, which I announced in 2021 in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, is considering the western rail corridor in the context of a more strategic framework for investment in our rail network. This review is the first such Departmental-led review in two decades and the first ever to be conducted on an all-island basis.

The review will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050 in line with net-zero targets in both jurisdictions.

The review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the western rail corridor.

Work on the review is now at an advanced stage. A draft report was published for a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, public consultation in July. The review recommends that reinstatement of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris via Tuam be commenced by 2030. This is a significant project, with the review estimating that it could cost between €400 million and €600 million in 2021 prices. The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29 September and submissions are now under review by officials from both jurisdictions. Following this process, it is expected that a final report will be submitted for ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government, as well as to the Minister of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland if in place. Obviously, we need the Administration in the North back.

This is a vital project. I have asked Irish Rail to answer Deputy Ó Cuív's question directly to see whether we could start clearing the line this winter in the same way we did on the Shannon-Foynes line. That can only be done in the winter period and we need speed and urgency. It can play a central, critical role not just in the economic development of the west of Ireland but also as part of a national revival of rail, particularly rail freight. I am getting an incredible response from businesses right along the west coast that are looking for such solutions, because they have to reduce their scope through emissions and have a low-carbon transport solution. This link is so strategically important when seen in that strategic context as part of an Atlantic rail corridor running all the way from Ballina to Rosslare in Wexford, with connections to some of our main deepwater ports for export and import. I have asked Irish Rail if it can start clearing the line. That obviously requires certain budget provisions. The timing would be difficult. It has to be completed before March. I have asked Irish Rail to do that because it is important that we give a signal to businesses in the west of Ireland that we are in business on the western rail corridor.

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