Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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546. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the most recent costing for the construction and provision of phase 2 of the Navan to Dublin rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5851/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the greater Dublin area, GDA.

The Navan rail link project was originally included under the Transport 21 Initiative and was to be developed in two phases.Phase 1, comprising the Dunboyne Rail Line project was completed in 2013.Phase 2 was to provide for the extension of the Dunboyne line onwards to north Navan.This development together with a number of other transport projects was postponed in 2011 due to the economic and fiscal crisis. 

In 2016 the NTA published its Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035.All the main transport corridors in the GDA were examined in the strategy including the Navan to city centre corridor.The NTA concluded that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre is insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at this time.Instead it is proposed that an enhanced bus service will be provided along the corridor in conjunction with the development of a bus hub in Navan.  

The NTA has indicated that the position will be reassessed as part of the next review of the GDA Transport Strategy and this will take account of the level of development in the catchment area over the next six years.The NTA has also indicated that the corridor identified for a rail link to Navan should be protected from development intrusion in the meantime.If the review of the Transport Strategy concludes that a rail link is justified at that point, funding can be pursued in the context of the review and development of future capital investment plans.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for any further update on the issue raised.Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.