Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to ask the Minister for Transport to outline his plans for the redevelopment of Ceannt and Oranmore stations in Galway.In terms of the Ceannt Station redevelopment, which was announced during the term of the previous Government, will departmental and National Transport Authority funding be made available to Iarnród Éireann? What is the expected timeline for such redevelopment?

On Oranmore Station, what is the timeline for the construction of a second track? I ask because Oranmore and its surrounds are currently serviced by the Galway to Dublin and Galway to Limerick trains. Oranmore has a population in the region of 15,000. My colleagues on Galway City Council and Galway County Council, councillors Alan Cheevers, Albert Dolan and Martina Kinane, who represents the Clarenbridge-Maree area, have consistently raised this matter at local level. I am seeking to discover the timeline for the second track and the position with regard to commuter trains for the area. This matter needs to be prioritised. Naturally, in the current climate, we need to continue to invest in public transport. I know from occasionally using the train from Oranmore that it is an excellent way to transport a large volume of people into the city. There is a huge willingness on the part of people in the Oranmore electoral area, whether it is in Maree, Clarenbridge or Oranmore itself, to use public transport. As Senator Kyne said earlier in connection with Moycullen, there has been a major increase in the population. I am well aware that the census has been postponed until next year but I am sure it will show a further increase in population, so we need to plan for the next number of years. A train service is essential.

Finally, I ask the Minister for Transport to come back to me with the information. Like Senator Kyne, I think it would be great if I could get the written response when I conclude. Also, there are a number of trains for people to travel to Dublin and Limerick but the problem is that in the evening, the second last and last trains do not stop in Oranmore. That is another issue for the people who live in the Oranmore electoral area because there is no point getting the first train to Dublin in the morning and then having to go into Galway city because one's car will have been parked in Oranmore. The logistics need to be worked out and there needs to be better communication with the public. Overall, the train service is excellent but it needs to be enhanced and further investment is required. Can I have a copy of the written response, please?

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I am here on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to answer the Senator's questions on transport, particularly in the context of the Oranmore and Ceannt stations in Galway.

The Government recognises the importance of expanding sustainable mobility in the Galway area. I am glad to say that this recognition has been backed up by funding to ensure that this translates into reality. We want to deliver expanded active travel networks across the city. We want to improve bus services and infrastructure through the delivery of a BusConnects Galway programme. We also want to deliver improved rail services and infrastructure.

The good news is that there have been positive developments on all fronts in recent months. We want to see that development continue in the coming years. Under the national development plan on active travel, Galway will benefit from the increased funding now available to support working and cycling. Funding of almost €12 million was announced earlier this year to support projects in the city during 2021, and another €6 million has been allocated to Galway County Council also in 20201.

On bus transport, we have seen welcome progress on two of the Galway BusConnects corridors with both the cross-city link and the Dublin Road corridor out to public consultation towards the end of last year. Both of these corridors are hugely important for the city's transport future and the cross-city link in particular is fundamental to improving public transport in the city. I understand that the cross-city link will move into statutory planning process later this year, which will be a really important milestone.

Finally, the Senator highlighted two current rail projects. First, there is the proposed redevelopment of Ceannt station. This will expand the capacity of the station and improve passenger experience at the station itself. The project will be co-funded by the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and the Department of Transport as part of the National Transport Authority's regional cities investment programme. I am informed that a multidisciplinary design team has been appointed by Iarnród Éireann, and that the team is currently undertaking detailed design development and the preparation of tender documentation for the construction stage. It is expected that tenders for the redevelopment work will be sought in the final quarter of this year with the contractor expected to be appointment mid-2022 and construction should finish during 2024. As the Senator will be aware, full planning permission for the project is in place.

Second, in terms of rail, there is the proposed improvement to Oranmore station. This project will see a new 1 km passing loop constructed at Oranmore. This will mean that trains will be able to pass each other and a new second platform will be constructed at the station. As with the Ceannt station project, these works will be co-funded through the URDF and the Department of Transport. I am informed that design work for the project is still at a relatively early stage and a full project timeline is under development. However, it is expected that all works will be completed during 2024.

The Senator is likely aware that the new Athenry to Galway rail corridor is being examined generally in terms of what other improvements might be necessary to expand its capacity up to and including, possibly, double-tracking into the city. As he conceded, there is significant activity under way to improve sustainable mobility in Galway. It is important that this activity translates into delivery on the ground and that Galwegians begin to see projects move from planning to construction. The latter is a move that I believe we will see emerge over the next 12 months.

Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State has delivered welcome news. With the pandemic, there have been delays and it is my duty, as a public representative, to hold the Department to account. I welcome the good news and I would appreciate if the Minister of State would speak to the Minister for Transport about the timeline.

As the Minister of State and the Government are well aware, there has been a major increase in the population of the Oranmore and Athenry area. I welcome the investment in Athenry but there is great concern about the parking constraints in both areas. Again, I thank the Minister of State for his response and welcome the news.

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I take the Senator's point about the importance of timelines. I will speak to my ministerial colleague about the matter.

The national development plan is being reviewed at the moment so the various projects are being examined and appraised. I can see how the population of Oranmore contributes to its deserving nature and there are problems with transport. I am not from Galway but when I visit, I can see that it is difficult to move around the city easily. It is difficult to get out of one's car and find a practical alternative unlike where I am in Dún Laoghaire where I have many options, and I availed of one of them this morning. I appreciate that there is an issue but the national development plan is being reviewed. Almost €11 billion is being spent on capital projects and a much large amount over the coming five years so I expect that there will be positive developments in the area. The Senator is welcome to contact me if he has issues about this in the future.