Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Today, I am delighted to resume statements on the all-island strategic rail review recommendations. In my constituency of Kildare North, many people depend on rail transport to commute to work and I have been one of those over the years and continue to be. People living in towns such as Naas, Maynooth, Kilcock, Leixlip and Celbridge all commute daily. I commend the work the National Transport Authority, NTA, has done so far on building a strong rail service to our capital city. Over the years as my career has continued, I have seen those improvements. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, in his statements last week acknowledged that the works for DART+ West to Maynooth and DART+ South West to Hazelhatch and Celbridge have been approved. This will double the city centre's rail capacity, which is vital for people living in my constituency. I have raised this issue already in the Dáil many times and I have raised it previously as a councillor, but I would I like to see the DART+ West project extended to also serve the people of Kilcock.

More nationally, I welcome the fact that rail journey times between the island's major cities would be significantly reduced, by 50% in some cases, with the introduction of the plans here and that there would be an introduction of hourly services between key cities. We have all seen those maps through the years of what our rail service used to look like and Ireland was greatly connected by rail. These modern, new upgrades will hopefully bring us back to that. The report outlines the hopes to connect as many towns of 10,000 or more to the rail network as possible. In the report, we also see the benefits we could get. We could have increased speeds of up to 200 km/h on core routes. Previously, that is something we might only have seen in the likes of Japan and France with their bullet trains. We all looked longingly at those compared with our own trains. We need to get there. In the modern State we have, with the financial support we have and the investment we are ready to give, we need to get there. Like that, it also calls for quadrupling tracking and capacity expansion near Dublin, which should be rolled out further. Hourly intercity services with two-hour regional frequencies were previously things we could only dream about.

As I outlined, we will see the extension of electrification and the rolling stock replacement. Once again, that is critical. I talk about electrification and, as I speak, the lights go out in the Chamber. I do not want to blame myself for that but it is exactly what happened. We would have DART underground - I shudder to think that when I say "DART underground", the place will shake - inclusion as a long-term goal too. Ultimately, these are all plans on a report and something we need to get to.

As the report says, rail has the potential to deliver on accessibility, climate, connectivity, economic growth, environmental and regional development goals across the island. As a country, we have had our borders - real borders and borders we do not see - but at the same time, somehow our rail has always been limited by them. We need to get back to our pre-State situation where lines did come across the Border. I welcome the statements we are making on the report that was delivered previously. I welcome the Minister's engagement on this and I, for one, want to see all the items put in place.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am really glad the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, is here, and the reason for that is the western rail corridor. He has always been committed to it. I commend him on how he worked when in opposition to secure the western rail corridor – first the link from Athenry to Claremorris and then the link from Claremorris to Collooney. Therefore, I do not need to tell him how important it is; he knows.

What I want is to get the Claremorris–Athenry line up and running. The Minister of State and I know from conversations, whether with Colman Ó Raghallaigh from West on Track or those involved with the Bradley report, that the project is absolutely viable. Not only that, but it is also necessary for businesses and the growth of the region. The western rail corridor, no more than Knock Airport, would be a catalyst for development in the region. It is what people want.

I certainly welcome the all-island strategic rail review but I am concerned that the Claremorris–Collooney part is not in it. Although this is the case, can I have a commitment from the Minister of State, as someone who is now in government, to open both parts of the line fully? Could he indicate, even today, when the Athenry–Claremorris part will reopen?

It is not often in this House that we have cross-party agreement but there is cross-party agreement on this project. We have the money to go ahead with it. Indeed, we had money many times over that we could have levered from the EU, but we did not avail of it. That is history, however. As enterprise spokesperson for Sinn Féin, I am interested in our getting the line up and running as quickly as possible.

We had much discussion in the past few days on student fees and the absolutely dire situation many families are in because of the cost of education. Accessing education is very important and that is why we need the line. It would open up transport.

Tourism is also a factor. I just met representatives of the Irish Hotels Federation and they would tell you how important rail is. When people come to this island, they want to be able to travel by rail. I am glad to see the Minister of State in the position he is in, and I have every faith and hope that he will do the right thing regarding the western rail corridor.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The all-island strategic rail review, published in July 2024, outlines a comprehensive vision for enhancing the rail system across Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050. Recommended in it are additional capacity, faster services, higher frequency, electrification and new routes. These are great except if you live in rural Ireland, where I happen to live. Light rail is to come to Cork city but, for the whole of 128 km down to Ardgroom or 120 km down to Mizen Head, there is not even a sign, never mind a piece of rail. The funny thing is that in 1850, there was a rail line to Schull and I would have been able to walk from the house to hop on the train. Today, there is not even a sign for 120 km or 130 km. The first thing the Minister of State should do is put up a few signs to let people know rail exists in Cork. It comes to Cork city. That there is none in west Cork is not the Minister of State’s fault but that of his predecessors. Unfortunately, in the 1950s and 1960s, somebody came up with a bright idea to pull up the rail line and that was the end of it. The problem we have is that nobody has a vision. West Cork is only one place but I am speaking on behalf of every rural community that does not have light rail. Rural Ireland has an entitlement to have some kind of transport service, at least to bring people to rail services. That is what we are examining. I am involved with this locally. There is no point in my dreaming that rail will come back to Bantry and Schull, where it was in the 1850s, because we seem to have no money now. We had plenty of money then.

We should push very hard to ensure there is at least connectivity of some sort, and a plan. We were slated during the election campaign for saying light rail should be brought to rural communities. The least we should do is put a feasibility plan together and cost it. We know the Minister of State cannot bring light rail down to Castletownbere or Goleen, but he might, in the lifetime of the Government, commit to bringing it to Bandon and having connecting buses to Bandon every morning. He should bring people to Cork city, where there is rail at present; however, for the love of God, he should also put a sign up indicating rail exists and give us some hope that some Minister will decide someday that Cork county needs a bit of rail as well. That is all I am asking of the Minister of State today. I plead with him.

The problem we have is that we have so many issues and worries today that even the roads are an issue. There was a protest outside today, organised by Councillor Ian Neary of Independent Ireland, on the closure of Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow. The protesters were worried about losing their road, never mind rail. Imagine closing a road at this time in Bray, County Wicklow. This issue is of great importance.

I ask the Minister of State to work with us to deliver at least a plan for how to connect to light rail. If light rail is not going to be brought to rural communities, they should at least have bus links to rail. We are not at this point at the moment.

We have very many issues in rural Ireland, including west Cork. In this regard, I am going to raise a certain matter even though I need the Minister of State to talk to other Ministers. CCTV is going to be lost to the people of Skibbereen, Dunmanway and Clonakilty. Today it was switched off. This was an outrageous decision that will lead to a lot of crime, an increase in crime. I had no other opportunity to raise this today. I plead with the Minister of State to speak to the relevant Minister to ensure CCTV will be restored, at least in Clonakilty and Skibbereen.

I plead with the Minister of State to work with us on rail. Independent Ireland has a plan and proposes that communities should at least have connectivity if they have no rail. There should at least be signs and bus connections to every rail link in the country. We genuinely would settle for that as an honest solution to an almighty crisis.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome this opportunity. I remember doing the Leixlip–Ballycoolin water main in 2004 or 2005. An area from Clonee to Navan was supposed to be left for rail. The rail was nearly to come the following day but the position is still the same. Although the posts are up and will soon be rotten, no rail ever came.

In the west, the Claremorris–Athenry line is ferociously important. The Minister of State will remember that, in 2016, the time he went into government, he and I were talking about including the western rail corridor in the programme for Government. Enda Kenny was Taoiseach at the time. That was nearly ten years ago but nothing has happened since other than the review, although I agree it was needed. A bridge was taken down at Barnaderg or Ballyglunin at the time of the road project and there was a big hullaballoo about it. The NRA said it would put it back up. How much will it cost to put it back up now compared with at the time in question? I do not know whether the cost was €1 million at the time. It is going to cost an awful lot more now to put it back up.

The bottom line is that I am sick of hearing about reviews and various focus groups. We know the service is needed from Claremorris, and indeed Collooney, as a previous speaker has said. There should be a joined-up approach. The west of Ireland, no more than any other part, deserves rail. The south and the east need it. I have mentioned Navan before. A lot of people live there. Either we decide to fund rail or we do not. The Foynes line is being done under TEN-T, I believe. That is great because it needed doing. We need to make sure our ports are developed and given facilities for bringing goods from A to B.

When the term of this Dáil is over, someone else could be in the position of the Minister of State. He has the ball in his court now. He should hop it and put the necessary funding in place for the western rail corridor. My fear is that the minute someone from the west is not in government, the Government will consider another part of the country and try to direct the money towards it. That is my honest opinion. I wish the Minister of State luck in this regard. If the project is not carried out now, we will be as well to forget about it. I have been here a long time and nothing has happened.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When the Ministers were announced, I was delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Canney was being given this responsibility. He realises the importance of the western rail corridor. The Claremorris to Athenry line is fundamentally important for our region. The Minister of State is only up the road and knows the value of this. I ask him to drive on this project and make sure that the legacy of Seán Canney in government is the western rail corridor reopened from Claremorris to Athenry and beyond from Claremorris into Collooney. We cannot forget about north Mayo and Sligo. It is really important. I attended a Western Development Commission presentation recently, which stated our region is lagging well behind in infrastructure and transport.

One argument the Government has made over many years relates to the viability for this project. I have looked into the data on the Limerick to Galway line. Since that line has been opened, there have been 5 million journeys. It is growing rapidly every year. In 2023, there were over 600,000 journeys. It is really important and there is a significant case for this. I commend the Minister of State and his work over many years. My colleague in Tuam, Luke Silke of Aontú, has worked with the Minister of State. I refer particularly to the West on Track campaign and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, who has been a tremendous advocate on this. I commend the great work and ask the Minister of State to drive on this project and make sure that the legacy of this Government and Seán Canney for our region is the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris and on to Collooney.

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We heard recently that the population of the island of Ireland has gone above 7 million for the first time. It is really a great time to be looking at an all-island rail strategy. What is not to like about this strategy? I commend the Minister of State but I also want to commend Eamon Ryan who initiated this strategy a few years ago. It is great that it was done. Rail is a great way to distribute economic growth and bring economic development to different regions. What is not to like about that? Rail is a great way to do transport-led planning, so we can plan residential areas and build-ups around rail and public transport, not around the private car. Rail is a key part of this island's plan to do decarbonisation. We can get away from the car and from diesel engines. We can look at electric and battery-operated locomotives, which is already planned between here and Drogheda. Rail has a huge part to play in that.

There are fairly significant costs associated with this and an investment of €32 billion is the price tag being put on the table. In the long term, from a decarbonisation perspective alone, it is a price worth paying if we can get the economic development done. The Minister of State is very familiar with rail issues in his own region. It is so important all around the country. I am fully supportive of this and really look forward to Government supporting it and running with it in the context of the NDP and all the projects to come.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is great to have a debate on the all-island strategic rail review. One of the key recommendations of the review is the reopening of the western rail corridor and the consideration of same. The Minister of State has been a strong advocate for the western rail corridor since long before I entered politics in 2019. I commend him on that. I will be doing everything I can as a Fianna Fáil representative for Galway East to ensure that this project gets the funding necessary to be a success and gets the necessary backing in our national development plan to drive forward not just Galway and Mayo, but the western seaboard.

The Minister of State may have heard me on Galway Bay FM last week raising concern around Ballyglunin train station. It is vital that Ballyglunin station be operationalised and considered in any plans for the reopening of the corridor. There is a stretch of about 30 km between Athenry and Tuam and we cannot leave that entire hinterland without rail. If consideration is being given to the western rail corridor, we need to ensure that rail is reopened and Ballyglunin forms a central part of it.

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I acknowledge the extension of the last train from Galway to Dublin on Saturdays, which is now running at 8.50 p.m. as opposed to 7.25 p.m., which is a step in the right direction. It is important also to highlight the inconsistency in the service during the week. The last train departs at 10.25 p.m., yet on Saturdays, when demand for cultural and social events peaks, the cut-off is at the earlier time of 8.50 p.m. That is a little bit short of what is required to support cultural events. Now with the Galway International Arts Festival around the corner and many headline events coming up during the summer, most of which will be finishing at 9 p.m., we are missing the opportunity to support those local cultural events and the night-time economy. I ask the Minister of State and Irish Rail to consider better Saturday departure times so as to better accommodate those passengers.

There have been a lot of contributions today on the western rail corridor. The west is crying out to be opened properly by rail. It is 32 years since we had a freight service on that line and 48 years since we had a passenger service, which really tells its own story. Like many in east and west Galway, Sligo and Mayo, I am anxious to find out the timelines as to when it is possible that we would be looking at investment. The all-island rail review and the feasibility study indicated that there was no consideration going to be given to anything else except rail along that alignment. I am delighted to be the Minister of State's colleague from east Galway and that he is in the position where he can deliver this. The timelines are something I am anxious to understand.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the publication of the all-island strategic rail review. This transformative plan sets out 32 strategic recommendations that would almost triple the number of people using our rail network, from 65 million journeys a year to 180 million by 2050. Critically, it would bring 700,000 more people within a 5 km radius of a railway station, boosting access in communities North and South that have been underserved for decades. With faster trains, more frequent services, new routes, and electrification, the plan aligns with our national economic objectives and would greatly enhance cross-Border connectivity. It is a railway strategy that looks to the future, but the work must start now.

At the same time, we must be honest about where we focus public investment. Too often, we have seen eye-watering sums spent on short-term interventions, or layers of consultancy, indeed sometimes with inadequate consultation or none at all, that deliver little lasting value and actually undermine public support for change. Every euro spent on transport should be justified through a clear cost-benefit analysis, with a strong bias in favour of long-term, sustainable solutions. As we look to the decades ahead, this also means protecting vital infrastructure, especially our coastal rail lines. This work needs to get under way urgently. In my own constituency of Dún Laoghaire, and along the eastern rail line, we must future-proof our network against sea level rises. While the consultation on the east coast railway infrastructure protection projects is under way, progress is painfully slow and needs to be accelerated. This is a moment for ambition but also for wise, strategic investment.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would like to raise the Limerick to Ballybrophy regional line with the Minister of State. Before coming in here, I told one of my colleagues what I was going to speak on and the response was, "Oh, do you have a railway line in north Tipperary?" This railway line is probably one of Iarnród Éireann's best-kept secrets.

It services Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan and Roscrea but it is a regional line within infrequent services that sees a lot of cancellations. To be fair to Irish Rail, it has seen significant investment in recent years, particularly in continuous welded rail. It links County Limerick and rural towns and villages in north Tipperary to the main Dublin-Cork line. It has massive strategic and regional importance and enormous potential for the people I represent to connect us far more by rail to Limerick, but also to Cork and Dublin. However, investment is needed. The all-island strategic rail review states lines such as this should see one train per two hours on regional lines. That is the frequency we need to get to for this route. We need faster speeds. To do that we need to reduce the number of rail crossings, particularly manual rail crossings on that line so trains can go faster. The investment has been put into the continuous welded rail, but Irish Rail is limited by the number of manual crossings that are there. They either need to be removed or automated to allow trains to move faster to give more commuters a reason to travel along that line and get to places faster, but also more frequently.

I wish to bring this line to the attention of this House because I am conscious many Members do not seem to know about it. I would be delighted to welcome the Minister of State to Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan or Roscrea. The train station in Cloughjordan is only 1 km from my home. He would be very welcome for a cup of tea while he there as well.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the all-island strategic rail review. It is an important piece of work. Anyone who looks at the old maps of the railway lines compared to today knows there is a significant job of work to fill the gaps. There are lots of gaps, such as the west and the north-west, but I wish to focus on my area. It is important and I welcome that we have DART+ West at M3 Parkway. We need to go further with that, including up the east coast. In principle, it is fundamental that we invest and expand the rail services. It will deliver transformational change.

I wish to specifically address the Navan rail line. The Minister of State will not be surprised. It is a matter I have raised with him on a number of occasions. I attended a meeting with the project leads who are well placed local people. They know the area very well. They have got skin in the game like myself and thousands of others. We want to see that project delivered. I welcome the investment and progress in it thus far. We heard the public consultation on the emerging preferred route is likely by the end of the year or early next year. It will be an important consultation on that. People will have the opportunity to have their say. This will be transformational for the whole county, including Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Ashbourne, which have a huge population. We are repeatedly hearing that we need to push, push, push to ensure there is continual funding to bring this beyond the planning stage. There is funding up to 2027 to bring the project to a railway order, but we need continuous funding to see this rail line delivered. That is the number one priority for us. I ask the Minister of State to hear that. We want funding in the national development plan for the uninterrupted progress on the Navan rail line, which would be transformational for the people of County Meath. It is certainly a priority for me, Sinn Féin and my colleague, Deputy Guirke.

In the meantime, bus services need to work for people. I would like to bring the 103 bus service to the Minister of State's attention. Services were cancelled yesterday morning. The 7.40 a.m. bus was cancelled. The 8.30 a.m. bus broke down. This morning, the 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11.50 a.m. services were cancelled. This affected a huge number of people. They are well used services but are being interrupted and cancelled all too often. There are a shortage of drivers, mechanics and roadworthy vehicles. I ask the Minister of State to do everything to ensure Bus Éireann is running a fleet that is fit for purpose. It is incredibly important while we wait for delivery of a 21st century rail service.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am delighted the Minister of State is here. I compliment him on his appointment and I wish him well. I have been working with him on many issues. I look forward to engaging fully. We have a rail service from Waterford to Limerick. It is wholly inadequate. I get on the train in Cahir and change at Limerick Junction. Cahir train station is not open. People cannot buy a ticket. Níl aon leithreas ann. Is baile an-lárnach agus an-mhór ar fad é Cluain Meala and it is the same way. The station is there, and buses are all stopped there, but the train station is locked. Tá sé dúnta. It is not good enough that people may have had a long journey and want to use the toilets or facilities. It is the same for Carrick-on-Suir. People cannot buy tickets. Passengers have to buy a ticket on the train or at Limerick Junction when they change. We need huge investment in the Waterford strategic line through Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and Cathair Dún Iascaigh and onto Tipperary town. Again, that station is closed but my daughter does not get on there. There is a train every hour at Limerick Junction. It is a great central service. I salute the drivers, office staff, floor staff and ground staff in Limerick Junction and Thurles. They are exceptional. I got the train yesterday at 3.45 p.m. in Thurles. I was in this Chamber at 6 p.m. after getting the bus from Heuston Station. We are blessed to have that. We need to look after this small line and upgrade it to allow the trains to go faster.

Importantly, it should be ar oscailt i gcónaí and people should know about it. Nobody knows the train goes from Cahir. There are very few people I meet. There is absolutely no marketing. I am sure it is the same from Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel or Tipperary town. People do not know. They ask me how I get a train from Cahir. I reply that I go to the station. They do not believe it. We must praise the staff who are in there. It is a strategic line. It is important to the south-east region. It is so important to Tipperary, Limerick and Waterford. We must invest in that line to make sure there are more trains. There are only a number of services per day. There is one in the morning at Cahir at 8.25 a.m. There is not another one until the evening. There is only one tonight. My daughter has gone home on it today. The 5 p.m. train from Heuston to Cahir is the only one. We need more trains on. We definitely need the leithris ar oscailt. God, we do. It is not fair for people to come off a bus or a train and have no facilities. It is just not good enough. They are fine stations. They are lovely iconic buildings. They are need of some repairs, but they must be kept open and functional. It is pity that we have not done so. I look forward to engaging with the Minister of State. I ask him to come down and visit to see for himself. Bheadh fíorfháilte roimhe chuig Tiobraid Árann theas.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am glad to get the opportunity to ask the Minister of State to provide enough trains and carriages to bring the people from Kerry up to Dublin on Saturday and to bring them home. We are taking on Tyrone and we need our supporters there. We hope we will win the match. We will be looking for more trains then to come up again.

We have one train service that operates at different hours of the day from Tralee through Killarney and onto Mallow. We are very forlorn in that there is not even a dining car or trolley car on that train. We are three hours and 20 minutes away from Dublin. I recall a time when my father was coming up here and he appreciated a dining car where he could get his breakfast on the train. That is not available anymore. Why is that? I am asking the Minister of State to rectify that. It not on at all in today's service for people to come all the way to Mallow. Sometimes they may get it on the Cork train if they change at Mallow. The service we are getting at the minute is not good enough.

Between Mallow and Tralee and Killarney and Tralee, only one junction is not automated. This is the junction at the gates at Stagmount, Rathmore. I have asked Iarnród Éireann several times before to provide an automated crossing there. It is the only junction without one. When I submitted a parliamentary question, I was told there were 130 of them in the country, but it is the only one on the Mallow to Killarney line that is not automated. There are 14 families, including young women and children, crossing these gates several times per day and late at night. We are coming into the wintertime again. They have to get out to open the gate and have to go back to close it. In this day of age, they are afraid of having to do that.

I am appealing to the Minister of State now, and I am expecting him to react to this, to put in an automated crossing for the people of Stagmount in Rathmore. They have been waiting long enough for it. We have been asking for it for 15 or 16 years. I am appealing to the Minister of State, in his time in government, to ensure that the crossing is automated at Stagmount junction at Rathmore.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I travelled with the Deputy on the train recently and we had a good sing-song. It was a very memorable trip.

We will finish this segment with a statement from the Minister. Deich nóiméad le do thoil.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The first thing I want to do is wish Kerry and Meath the best of luck next weekend. I thank all the Deputies for their contributions during this afternoon's debate and also last week's debate. They can see from my record and my opening statement that there is a continued commitment in investment in public transport with the significant progress that has been made over the last few years in our rail network.

Notably, we have made progress on the DART+ programme with recent planning decision for DART+ West and DART+ South West. I look forward to achieving a major milestone in the programme next year when the new DART battery electric train fleet is scheduled to start entering service between Dublin and Drogheda. We also made good progress in upgrading train stations across the network with the recent opening of a new platform at Cork Kent Station, which I visited recently, ongoing works at Ceannt Station in Galway and the ongoing construction of the new Plunkett Station in Waterford.

I would also like to reiterate that the Government remains clear on the need to continue investing in the transport sector, and implementing the vision as set out in the all-island rail review will be a key priority for this Government. By taking a holistic view of the rail network across the whole of the island rather than looking at one region or another, the rail review not only encourages balanced regional development but also looks at how individual lines or projects fit into and strengthen the wider network in its entirety. The review has set out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance our rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with the net zero carbon commitments in both jurisdictions. The implementation of these recommendations would have a transformative impact on the rail system across the island. Frequency would increase to at least hourly on key intercity routes and every two hours on regional and rural lines. Rail journey times within cities and regions would also be significantly reduced. A decarbonised railway would be provided for largely through overhead electrification of the busiest routes, with alternative low-emission traction technology such as batteries deployed on the more lightly trafficked lines. The recommendations will significantly increase the length of the rail network from around 2,300 km across the island currently to circa 3,000 km. Furthermore, the vision involves the construction of new rail lines, particularly in the north midlands and north west, widening accessibility and connectivity. The vision includes a commitment to commencing reinstatement of the western rail corridor between Athenry and Claremorris at the earliest possible date.

Individual projects will all be subject to detailed economic analysis as they are advanced through the approval process. As I noted in my opening statement, my Department is currently working with a range of stakeholders to bring forward a rail review recommendation for further analysis and progression. In this context, my Department is supporting Iarnród Éireann's ongoing assessment of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, and I expect to receive a report on this matter this year. We are also working with the European Investment Bank, EIB, and other rail stakeholders, North and South, to consider how to best sequence and implement the recommendations of the rail review with a view to optimising their development for passengers and societies.

This work with the EIB has included the preparation of a project prioritisation strategy. The strategy has been broadly agreed by the project steering group and will be published later this year. This work is also helping to inform my Department's engagement with the ongoing review of the national development plan. The outcome of this review will ultimately determine the amount of capital funding available to progress new transport infrastructure over the medium term.

I would like to reiterate that this Government remains committed to investment in public transport. Individual programmes and projects referred to within the rail review will be advanced, subject to funding and relevant approvals. I also look forward to working closely with the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann in the coming years to progress the review’s recommendations and make these investment plans a reality.

I will address some of the issues that were raised here last week by some of the Deputies. I am currently unaware of any plans for a new train station in Drogheda, although this will be kept under review. Irish Rail will continue to engage with parties proposing a new station, and my Department will keep me informed of this issue.

Somebody raised the issue of the extension of the DART service to Wicklow. The National Transport Authority's Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042 includes a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through the utilisation of the new battery electric DART carriages, which are coming into service.

Somebody else raised the issue of the Shannon Airport rail link. On the plans for a rail link to Shannon Airport, I note that one of the strategic recommendations in the rail review is to connect international airports, including Shannon Airport, to the rail network. The programme for Government also includes a commitment to improve connectivity and public transport to our airports. As with other recommendations in the review, this proposal will be advanced subject to securing approvals and funding, which will be informed by the outcome of the national development plan.

Lastly, I am pleased to inform the House that Irish Rail, or Iarnród Éireann, recently reached an agreement with Translink for the expansion of the quieter coach initiative to the cross-Border Enterprise rail service. It is hoped that this will be introduced by early next year. This follows on from the successful introduction of a quieter coach on the Dublin to Cork rail services.

With regard to having services available, such as a cup of tea or a breakfast on the trains, Irish Rail is looking at that at the moment to see how best they can deliver it. I will talk to Irish Rail about the Galway service line. Navan rail is progressing and hopefully a rail order will be delivered on that the year after next.

We are talking about the rail network and the all-island rail review. Before I finish up, I want to acknowledge the work that was done by my predecessor, the Minister of Transport, Eamon Ryan, in bringing together the vision everybody had for their own area and putting it into a strategic plan. When we pull it together into one plan, each element of it becomes more viable. I want to acknowledge the work he undertook in opening up the rail line from Limerick to Foynes Port, which is another catalyst to allow for the Atlantic economic corridor across the western region to develop as a rail network.

We have a lot done. People are complaining that we do not have enough carriages now when 30 years ago we were closing down railway lines. We have got to a stage where the tipping point has been reached and instead of closing down, we are opening up and modifying. When I see the work that has been done in Limerick, Galway, Cork and Waterford stations, outside of Dublin, I would say that this is going to be good for regional development. We will work on it as best we can with the support of all in the House.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State very much. I thank Members.