Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Colm Brophy, for coming in to take this Topical Issue matter. I am glad to raise it on behalf of my constituents.

The Barrow railway bridge is a historic structure connecting the counties of Wexford and Kilkenny along the currently disused Rosslare to Waterford railway line. It opened in 1906 and it closed to passenger traffic in 2010. The maintenance arrangement with Irish Rail was to maintain the line for ten years after closure. Last winter, I asked in a parliamentary question if the maintenance arrangement for the line could be extended until a decision had been made on its future. I am pleased to report that in 2021, a weed spraying train passed along the line from Rosslare to Waterford, across the Barrow bridge. I hope this maintenance will continue.

For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the bridge itself, it has a section in the centre that can turn 90 degrees to open the bridge to allow boats to pass through. There has been much debate, particularly in recent times, about the future of the line and what that will be. Some people would like to see a return to rail services linking the south east with the rest of Ireland and a proper service while others would like to see the line turned into a greenway to connect to Waterford and to the Dungarvan greenway. The third option is to develop a greenway alongside the rail line.

The result of the rail review will help inform the next steps in that regard, but regardless of which of the three options are chosen, it will be necessary for the Barrow bridge to be maintained and remain in operational condition. It cannot be allowed to deteriorate and it should not be left in the open position, if it is not designed as such and if that has the potential to damage the mechanism.

Given the fact there is an ongoing review, which is examining the potential to reopen the railway line, can the Minister of State commit to ensuring that the bridge is left in the closed position until the results of the rail review have been completed and a decision has been made on the rail line’s future?

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Murphy for giving me the opportunity to discuss this issue in the House today. As many Members will be aware, rail services on this particular line ceased operation in 2010 under an agreement between the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Iarnród Éireann. A number of improvements were made to bus services in the area at the time to ensure continued public transport connectivity. A number of parties have raised concerns that the decision to maintain the Barrow bridge in the current open position means that services may never again run on this line.

I do not wish to give false hope to anyone with regard to any imminent return of services but I would like to clarify that the decision to maintain the bridge in an open position is a pragmatic one, based on the fact that the line has now been closed for more than ten years. During this time, Iarnród Éireann has continued to maintain the Barrow bridge and has operated it for maritime activity related to the Port of New Ross. The open position of the bridge reflects the need to ensure easy navigational access to the port. In the absence of any rail services on the line, it is entirely appropriate that the right of way should be given to the marine traffic to pass through the bridge unencumbered.

Since the decision to close the line, a number of revised arrangements were agreed between the NTA and Iarnród Éireann relating to the line. These arrangements include obligations to review the level of crossing services each year, reviewing the boundary protection along the line each year, and conducting bridge inspections every two years, in line with Iarnród Éireann’s technical standards. In addition, the agreement between the NTA and Iarnród Éireann requires a general review of the line to be undertaken annually. The purpose of the review is to assess the overall condition of the line so as to be able to provide a current status assessment of the infrastructure each year. The revised arrangements also provide that the Barrow bridge be maintained in an open position.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that the planned securing of the bridge in the open position is a temporary measure and in no way removes the future functionality of the bridge for carrying rail traffic, should services on this line resume. Neither, I stress, does it in any way impede consideration of the line in the context of the strategic rail review. I understand larnród Éireann will ensure the continued functionality of the bridge through scheduled movements, which will allay any potential concerns that may exist as regards the permanency of train’s position.

Furthermore, the design of the mechanism is such that it can easily be reversed if rail services do resume at some point in the future. I look forward to the strategic rail review and its consideration of the strategic potential of the rail network the island of Ireland, including the Wexford to Waterford line. I trust this clarifies the position with regard to the Barrow bridge.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State. It goes some way. I had some verbal conversations with Irish Rail, in which I was told that anything it was doing was temporary and reversible. I am glad the Minister of State has been able to clarify to some degree where it is at. He might be able to let us know when he anticipates that the rail review will be complete. Only then can we estimate what damage may have occurred, if any. If the Minister of State is telling me that there will be none, and that Irish Rail and the NTA have an agreement, I would be pleased to pass that on to my constituents.

This is a rail line on which I travelled to work in my younger days, from Campile railway station to Waterford. It provided very easy access. We now have a new bridge in New Ross that has bypassed the town. It is a fantastic accolade. We have not seen the town suffer or a loss of traffic because if it. There is quite good accessibility.

The Minister of State will know the greenways have been phenomenal. They have given people a lift. In my area, we expect the New Ross to Waterford one will be completed sometime in the middle of 2022.

Having a greenway from Rosslare to Waterford, joining up with Dungarvan, would be phenomenal on the basis that it would bring tourism to the area. A EuroVelo route comes through my area. I appreciate that this enhances the country as a whole. Whether it runs along the side of the railway line or uses this bridge, it is paramount that the bridge is maintained and functional. I ask for a commitment on that and a possible timeline for when the review will be complete.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for her comments and will pass her remarks on to the Minister with regard to when the strategic railway review will conclude. It will commence shortly. The Deputy will be aware that a procurement process related to the review is under way. The review will examine the network across the island of Ireland with regard to improving sustainable connectivity between major cities, enhancing regional accessibility and supporting balanced regional development. It is obviously well worth making the comments the Deputy has made this morning about greenways, the impact that they have had and their benefit. I have no doubt that everything will be taken into consideration in the review.