Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, to the House. I think this is my first time being in the Chair since he was elevated.

Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The Rosslare to Waterford line was closed in 2010, having operated since 1906. It connects with the Waterford to Limerick railway line, which continues to operate. Many in south Wexford knew it as the sugar beet track because for a long time the railway line was synonymous with the transportation of sugar beet. It served communities in south Wexford, including Campile, Ballycullane, Wellingtonbridge and Bridgetown. There is a very active local campaign group, South East on Track. Councillor Michael Whelan, who is based in Ballycullane, has been active in terms of examining supporting improved services. The communities in the area would like the development of a greenway which could run in parallel with the rail line.

The Minister of State may be able to update us on the all-Ireland strategic rail review. It is very clear that Government policy is shifting towards a greater use of railway lines. We know that shifting goods onto a railway line rather than using roads reduces the carbon footprint by 75%. The more we can shift freight onto rail, the more environmental sense it makes and the more we can, ultimately, encourage passengers to use railway lines, which makes environmental sense. I appreciate Rosslare Europort is a roll-on roll-off port and therefore may not be ideal for some areas of freight. However, in terms of transporting freight around the south east this is something that would be of particular benefit. While we continue to have infrastructure in place, which includes the longest railway bridge in Ireland over the River Barrow, it is important that we maintain that infrastructure and try to determine whether we can reopen the line.I know the Minister of State is particularly passionate about re-opening the western rail corridor. If we can look at also redeveloping that south-eastern rail corridor, we can have that link between the Dublin to Rosslare line, the Waterford to Limerick line and on to Foynes and so on. That would make a lot of sense. I understand the all-Ireland strategic rail review is to be published shortly and it is imperative that we see this not just specifically for this line but so we have a real debate around transport in Ireland. If we are serious about meeting our climate targets with regard to transport, then we have to look at serious investment in rail. This is not just about re-opening old lines. It has to be about ensuring those lines are attractive to use from a freight, and also from a passenger, point of view. This is something that is growing in interest. I would love to see this rail line re-opened at some stage over this decade and a greenway running parallel to it. This would have huge benefits for the local community if it could be done and I would certainly hope in the context of the rail review that the possibility of re-opening this line could be considered.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh Ghníomhach, agus buíochas libh as ucht fáilte a chur romham chuig an Teach seo. I thank the Senator on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, for the opportunity to address this issue. As the Senator has acknowledged, I do a lot of work with West on Track and we are very much aware of South East on Track and indeed the work of Councillor Whelan on this matter.

As the Senator indicated, rail services on this line ceased in 2010 under an agreement made between the National Transport Authority and larnród Éireann. A number of improvements were made to bus services at the time to ensure continued public transport connectivity. While the line has been closed in recent years, the port in New Ross remains open for business. The location of the Barrow bridge on the River Barrow means that the ability to open the bridge is critical to ensuring navigational access to the port. Iarnród Éireann continues to operate this bridge with all its unique properties as referred to by the Senator, for this purpose.

A maintenance arrangement is in place to allow for the line's continued maintenance since the decision to remove passenger services. In 2019, a number of revised arrangements were agreed between the National Transport Authority, NTA, and larnród Éireann regarding the line. These revised arrangements include: obligations to review level crossing surfaces each year; to review the boundary protection along the line each year; and to conduct bridge inspections every two years, in line with larnród Éireann's technical standards. In addition, the agreement between the NTA and Iarnród Éireann requires that a general review of the line be undertaken on an annual basis. The purpose of the general review is to assess the overall condition of the line to provide a current status assessment of the infrastructure each year. As acknowledged, the Minister for Transport, in cooperation with the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure, has commissioned an all-Ireland strategic rail review to help inform the development of interurban and interregional rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades. It will also consider the potential scope for improved rail services and infrastructure, alongside the various existing or future potential corridors of the network including disused and closed lines. The provision of rail services on the Wexford to Waterford line is being considered in this context. An important aspect of the review will be to consider the potential for rail freight and whether opportunities exist to increase its role.

It is also the case that Waterford and Rosslare ports handle different types of cargo and that influences the potential suitability of developing rail freight at each port. As the Senator acknowledged, Waterford Port handles lift-on lift-off freight, which is suitable for rail freight, while Rosslare is principally a roll-on roll-off port, where freight is accompanied by drivers, which does not lend itself easily to rail freight.

The Minister for Transport believes there is real potential for Ireland's ports in the area of offshore renewable energy. That is why he published a policy statement on the matter last December which makes it clear to the offshore industry that the Government is committed to the provision of port facilities in Ireland for offshore energy developments. In that regard, he very much welcomes the fact that Rosslare Europort has ambitious plans to develop an offshore renewable hub.At a broader level, the Minister for Transport has no doubt but that the Senator's wish is to see rail services running again on this line. The Minister is also aware that there are those who would like to develop the route as a greenway and build on the work already undertaken or under way in the south east to create a network of attractive greenways spanning the region. As the Senator acknowledges, however, there is nothing to stop the two projects from running together. I will forward that view to the Minister.

The future development of the line, in whatever form it takes, will be informed by the results of the forthcoming final report of the All Island Strategic Rail Review, which I understand from my work with the western rail corridor will come relatively shortly.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Senator.

Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State's response is somewhat positive. I think we all look forward to reading the All Island Strategic Rail Review. I think it will encourage a lot of debate about how we can more effectively use rail in this country. I think we could see the reopening of the railway line with a parallel greenway connecting to the very successful Waterford greenway operating over the course of this decade. I think we are now realising that the future is in rail. There is enormous potential there because there is a rail line currently in existence and, as the Minister of State said, it is being maintained quite well by Irish Rail at present.

We need to be ambitious. I certainly support the extension of the western rail corridor, but we need to look at connecting all these parts of the country. I think a real possibility now exists to reopen the south-east rail link as well to provide that link between Rosslare, Wexford and Waterford. I hope that, coming out of the strategic rail review, the Government will consider it positively.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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On behalf of the Minister, I thank the Senator for his comments and his ongoing interest in this important issue and the ongoing interest of many Members of this House in rail expansion. I know that Senator Cassells, in particular, is passionate about the Navan rail line.

The Minister wishes to assure Senator Byrne that the potential of rail connectivity from Rosslare to Waterford is being fully considered as part of the strategic rail review. As I have said previously, the review is unique in that it is being conducted on an all-island basis, in full co-operation with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive and at official level within the Department for Infrastructure. This will provide a holistic overview of the potential of rail on an all-island basis. The review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure alongside various existing or potential future corridors of the network, including disused and closed lines. The provision of rail services from Wexford to Waterford, as requested by the Senator, is being considered in that context.

It should nevertheless be noted that if a reopening of the line is endorsed by the review, reopening the lines to passenger traffic would entail a comprehensive body of work. Initially, this would involve a detailed baseline survey to understand the requirements to bring the line back within operating safety and regulatory compliance. While the funding requirement has not been established, some significant cost items would arise, most notably on the Barrow bridge, which would need substantial investment along with investment generally in the railway corridor, some track works, interventions at level crossings and station buildings and the rehabilitation of infrastructure which has been dormant for a long time.

The review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure. Rail connectivity to our international gateways, including Rosslare Europort, and the potential role of rail freight will all be considered in the context of considering the reopening of the Rosslare-Waterford line.