Written answers

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network Expansion

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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561. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the progress of the feasibility study of high speed rail between Dublin and Belfast, Dublin and Limerick Junction and Cork; if an evaluation of its economic benefits against improvements to existing line speeds will be carried out against relevant appraisal processes and value-for-money tests required under the public spending code which according to the national development plan published in early 2018 was to commence within a year. [42198/19]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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562. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the feasibility studies for improvement to rail infrastructure that have been carried out in the past five years; and if copies of such studies will be made available. [42199/19]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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563. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the feasibility studies for improvement to rail infrastructure being carried out or about to commence; and if copies of the terms of reference for such studies will be made available. [42200/19]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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564. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the planned feasibility studies for improvement to rail infrastructure to be carried out in the next five years; and if documents giving details of areas the studies are to cover will be made available. [42201/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 to 564, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Project Ireland 2040 commits toward an evaluation during 2020 of the economic benefits and value for money of high-speed rail on the main inter-urban rail network against improvements to existing and planned line speeds along the lines, while the Climate Action Plan refers to the production of a "Strategic rail review paper".  I can confirm that my Department is currently considering options on how to best to deliver upon these requirements in line with published commitments.

In relation to recently completed "Feasibility studies" as referred to by the Deputy, I would refer to the Rail Review, published in 2016, a copy of which can be located on the National Transport Authority's website at

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