Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to parliamentary question number 71 of 22 March 2017, the status of the report on the consultation process on the current and future role of rail transport here; his plans to open an express train service from Wexford town to Dublin, in order to facilitate commuters and increase the number of passengers using the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30134/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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".  Over 300 submissions were received by the NTA in response to that consultation process which have now all been examined and the NTA is preparing a report of those submissions.

In advance of that, no decisions have been taken regarding matters such as the future of individual rail lines or investment in the company and its relevant infrastructure.

As noted within the Rail Review Report, its analysis predates the finalisation of the National Planning Framework which is being developed at present under the leadership of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is obvious that, once agreed by Government, the approach which that Framework adopts toward land-use planning and settlement patterns for the country will have significant impacts on the potential of rail and other transport infrastructure and services into the future.  I look forward to the finalisation and adoption by Government in the coming months of the new National Planning Framework, which I believe will form an important context for my consideration of  issues raised by the Rail Review Report and any recommendations I will bring to Government.

In relation to the Deputy's specific enquiry about the potential for an express service from Wexford town to Dublin, I have referred the question to the NTA for direct reply.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the unfolding financial crisis Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30132/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​The Deputy is aware that the taxpayer makes a significant and recurring contribution each year to Iarnród Éireann. This contribution takes the form of both current, PSO, funding and also capital funding under what is known as the IMMAC (infrastructure management multi-annual contract). In 2016 funding under both the PSO and IMMAC programmes cumulatively increased by 10% when compared with 2015, and Budget 2017 has further improved that funding position.

However, I recognise that there are issues for consideration in relation to how we fund our rail network and by extension Iarnrod Éireann.  In August 2015 my Department published the Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transportwhich outlined the funding pressures across both our rail and road networks and made a number of recommendations in respect of our key priorities and principles for future investment.

In relation to rail, the Strategic Investment Framework recommended the development of a new rail policy and last year the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann published the Rail Review Report 2016 on which the NTA held a public consultation.

Over 300 submissions were received by the NTA in response to that consultation process which have now all been examined and the NTA is preparing a report of those submissions.

In advance of that, no decisions have been taken regarding matters such as the future of individual rail lines or investment in the company and its relevant infrastructure.

As noted within the Rail Review Report, its analysis predates the finalisation of the National Planning Framework which is being developed at present under the leadership of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is obvious that, once agreed by Government, the approach which that Framework adopts toward land-use planning and settlement patterns for the country will have significant impacts on the potential of rail and other transport infrastructure and services into the future.  I look forward to the finalisation and adoption by Government in the coming months of the new National Planning Framework, which I believe will form an important context for my consideration of  issues raised by the Rail Review Reportand any recommendations I will bring to Government.