Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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630. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Irish Rail proposal to connect Dublin Airport to Cork and Galway by rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4736/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area.  Under this remit the NTA has commissioned the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Studyto examine all existing proposals (heavy rail, metro, Luas extensions) as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the needs of the Swords/Dublin Airport to City Centre corridor in the long term.

In relation to the recent comments from the CEO of Iarnród Éireann regarding a new rail link to Dublin airport, I have stated that of the six options currently under consideration by the NTA, two of these are heavy rail links. In addition, I have acknowledged that it is right that Iarnród Éireann should plan for the future.

However, I have also noted that their proposal is looking beyond the timeframe of the current reviews.  I have not yet made a decision regarding a link between the city centre and Dublin airport, yet alone beyond that timeframe.