Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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660. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the continued operation and proposals for upgrading the Limerick to Waterford railway line in view of the serious concerns raised by the frequent and regular cancellation of trains on the line by Iarnrod Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6009/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) recently held a public consultation process to start a national debate on the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland. The public consultation was launched with the publication of a Rail Review 2016 report- which examined the funding required to support the heavy rail network now and into the future- together with a consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery".

I understand the NTA is now in the process of preparing a report on the consultation process. I intend to bring this report to Government. Undoubtedly, the findings of the consultation process will be used to inform and assist future decision making in relation to rail.

However, I must state that while there has been much speculation regarding the future of individual rail lines, no decisions have been taken. Let me further state that no decisions will be taken on the matter before I have had the opportunity to report back to Government on the outcomes of the NTA's public consultation process. In order to fully inform any debate on the future of the rail network, we must allow this important background work to be completed and for the outputs to be assessed.