Imelda Goldsboro (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for coming in this afternoon. This is a great opportunity to comment on the all-island strategic rail review, a landmark initiative jointly commissioned by the Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The review sets out a bold and strategic vision for the development of our rail system across the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

Rail is one of the lowest-carbon-emitting modes of transport for both passengers and freight. It offers a powerful tool for both jurisdictions to meet their commitments to achieving a net-zero carbon transport system and economy. If we are serious about tackling climate change, we must be serious about rail. We need to see a major modal shift in how we move around this island. Our overreliance on cars is unsustainable. Rail offers a cleaner, more efficient and more inclusive alternative. It is a vital step toward connecting the unconnected and bringing opportunity, mobility and economic growth to communities that have long been left behind. The decisions and investments we make in rail this decade will shape the lives of Irish people for generations to come. That is why it is so important to plan our rail network in a holistic and strategic manner that considers the impacts and benefits across all regions of Ireland - not just Galway and Mayo - including Tipperary.

We must be honest about where we are today. There are significant gaps in rail network coverage. Service frequencies and speeds are relatively low compared with railways in similar countries like Scotland and Denmark. The quality of service does not consistently meet customer expectations. Four of the five busiest airports on the island, including Dublin Airport, the busiest in Europe without a rail or metro connection, remain disconnected from the network.

The differences are striking when we compare today’s rail map with that of 100 years ago. The emergence of two separate jurisdictions in the 1920s disrupted traditional patterns of trade and travel. Customs controls on the new Border led to the closure of almost all cross-Border routes by the 1960s, leaving counties like Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Tyrone without any rail services, except for the lone line between Dublin and Belfast. Today, we have a chance to reverse that legacy. Denmark has shown us what is possible, achieving average rail speeds between major cities that are twice as fast as ours, largely through investment in existing infrastructure. We can do the same. We are no different. If all recommendations in the review are delivered, over 700,000 more people could live within 5 km of a railway station, a 25% increase in population catchment. Every county in Ireland and every local government district in Northern Ireland would have at least one station served by regular passenger rail.

The all-island strategic rail review and the national development plan represent the first of three decades of delivery, with projects benefiting the national network, sustainable transport for major cities and the expansion of the role of passenger services and rail freight all under way. The projects in the current NDP are essential prerequisites in the context of the ambition of the all-island strategic rail review. They include: the DART+ programme; the Cork area commuter rail; the national train control centre; investment in Galway, Limerick and Waterford; Rail Freight 2040; the new Enterprise fleet; new stations; the Navan rail line; east coast rail infrastructure protection projects; and capacity enhancement studies for a range of routes including Wicklow, Limerick to Galway, Limerick to Limerick Junction, and Galway to Dublin. Iarnród Éireann is working with the Department of Transport, the European Investment Bank, the National Transport Authority and others on the preparation of a plan to implement the all-island strategic rail review recommendations, including a comprehensive investment plan for the next ten years.

We are already making progress on progressing rail projects across the country. These efforts support not only our national goals but also our European decarbonisation commitments. Let us not forget the role of affordability. Travel costs are subsidised by the Government to ensure public transport remains accessible to all.

My principle when it comes to public transport is simple: if we provide a good service with frequency, we will offer a compelling alternative to the car. That is how we shift behaviour. That is how we build a better future. Today, I am seeking commitments from the Government that it will continue to push forward. Let us invest wisely, plan strategically and act boldly. The future of rail in Ireland depends on it, and so does the future of our people, our economy and our planet.