Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand our national rail network to further reduce emission via high speed low emissions rail as the programme for Government states a plan to further invest in new roads infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16049/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy is aware that the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future commits toward a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland.

In relation to inter-urban rail, I can inform the Deputy that my Department is currently finalising the terms of reference for a comprehensive review of rail speeds, including the potential for high-speed rail, along the TEN-T Core Corridor of Belfast-Dublin-Limerick Junction-Cork.

This study will be a comprehensive assessment of the potential for high-speed rail on the island of Ireland and will be conducted in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland. Importantly the study will also examine and consider the interactions and implications between the TEN-T Core Corridor and the wider rail network.

I look forward to the launch of the procurement process in the coming weeks and commencement of the study itself in due course.