Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms of reference of the current review of the proposed Navan rail line; the threshold for approval and the variables and calculations used to decide this; the extent to which benefits to the environment and the well-being of citizens will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan will be considered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) during its review of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035.

In line with its statutory obligations to review the Transport Strategyevery six years, the NTA has commenced preparatory work on the review, which will include consideration of a possible future rail service to Navan. The review of the Strategy will include a comprehensive analysis of changes to population projections, development density, employment forecasts and future travel demand patterns since the finalisation of the current Strategy.

The review will be subject to a full public consultation, including the publication of all background reports and feasibility studies and that public consultation will take place next year.

I understand that the NTA will shortly launch the process with the publication of an initial 'Issues Paper' and I look forward to that launch and would encourage all citizens and public representatives to take part.