Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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611. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress as provided under the programme for Government on review of the western rail corridor phase two between Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53716/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of the Western Rail Corridor Phase Two between Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use. It also commits that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of the Western Rail Corridor for rail use.

The costing and review has not been undertaken but the Deputy will be aware that a number of wider processes underway that are being advanced first as they are highly relevant to the general rail environment.

Firstly, around this time last year, 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 the Rail Review Report 2016, 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 has submitted a report of those submissions which - when updated to reflect the increased Exchequer funding now being made available for rail services and infrastructure - I intend to bring to Government, and expect to be published shortly thereafter.

Secondly, on a broader front, the Government is at an advanced stage on the finalisation of the National Planning Framework which has been developed under the leadership of my colleague the Minister for 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.