Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Conway as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu.

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, including rail. However, the operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on it, including the station at Crusheen, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

Programme for Government: Our Shared Future commits to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland. The Minister believes rail has a crucial role to play in achieving that change. It is vital we address constraints in the rail sector and deliver a network that allows rail to fulfil its potential in pursuit of decarbonisation and rural connectivity priorities and as a generator of prosperity for people across the island of Ireland. To that end, the Department of Transport has co-commissioned the all-island strategic rail review with the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure. The review is establishing the strategic context for investment in rail across the island in the coming decades. Work on the review is at a very advanced stage and a key consideration of the analysis is how the rail network can support regional and rural connectivity, as described by the Senator, encompassing service stopping patterns and the provision of stations. The delivery of any new rail infrastructure involves a multi-agency approach in the planning, design, funding and construction of a scheme. To protect the taxpayer, there are also guidelines and requirements in place surrounding the release of funds for capital infrastructure projects, which must be adhered to by all agencies wishing to draw down public funds. These are set out under the public spending code drawn up by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Before Iarnród Éireann can receive public funding to proceed with any rail infrastructure scheme, the following conditions must be met. First, the proposal must align with transport and planning policy. Second, the proposal must have a robust business case in line with the public spending code, as well as the transport sector-specific appraisal guidelines. Third, a full demand assessment must be included as an input to the business case.

The Minister is not aware of any plans to reopen the station at Crusheen. However, as already noted, potential services and infrastructure along existing and potential new rail lines are being considered as part of the strategic rail review. Iarnród Éireann has advised that it will keep the case for a railway station at Crusheen under review in line with future demand trends, but at present there is no provision for a station with the current funding profile. I know the Senator raised the issue with Jim Meade, the CEO of Irish Rail, when he met the all-party group on rail last week, and I am sure it will be followed up from there.