Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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582. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the review into the disused rail line between the port of Foynes to Limerick which, according to a report (details supplied), is being considered for future development. [25385/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) held a public consultation process to start a national debate on the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland. The public consultation process 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".

The NTA is now in the process of examining over 300 submissions received and is 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 no decisions have been taken regarding the future of individual rail lines, including closed lines such as Limerick to Foynes. Furthermore, no decisions will be taken on the matter before I have had the opportunity to report back to Government on the outcomes of 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.