Written answers

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network

Photo of Pat BuckleyPat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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566. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the Midleton to Youghal railway line for public transport purposes; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Development Plan (NDP) states that the priority funding objective in relation to the mainline rail network is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network.  In line with that funding objective, the funding allocations committed under the NDP provide for a fully-funded, or steady state, level of maintenance and renewal across the Iarnród Éireann network.  This represents a significant and recurring annual contribution from the taxpayer towards our heavy rail network.

As noted in the NDP, Cork City Council and Cork County Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority, are currently finalising the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) which will consider issues relating to congestion and transport needs in and around Cork City and surrounding areas, including Midleton. This strategy will provide a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services across the Cork Metropolitan Area, for the period up to 2040. 

I understand that the strategy will be published for public consultation in the near future.

Finalisation of the strategy will, together with the funding provided under the National Development Plan, provide the policy backdrop to consideration of future transport development in the Cork region.  

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