Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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432. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of installing a twin railway track on the Sligo line as far as Mullingar and Longford; his plans regarding same with a view to enhancing the speed and frequency of trains servicing these towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47869/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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There is no provision in the 4 year capital plan announced recently in Budget 2018 for the project mentioned by the Deputy.

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. Over 300 submissions were received by the NTA in response to that consultation process which have now all been examined and the NTA has submitted a report of those submissions to me. I will shortly provide an update to Government of the report when I have had an opportunity to read and consider its contents.

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. 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.