Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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97. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the maintenance of the Wexford to Waterford railway line; if he plans to maintain the previous maintenance schedule that had been in place in recent years; if it will be ensured that this section is included in the strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, following the closure of the Wexford to Waterford railway line in November 2010, a maintenance agreement was established between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann (IÉ). I am informed that the maintenance agreement was reviewed in 2019 and revised arrangements agreed last year between the NTA and IÉ which reflect the fact that no rail services have operated on the line for just over a decade.

The Strategic Rail Review will examine the rail network on the island of Ireland in relation to improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight. The Review will also consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network and that scope will certainly include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the one referred to by the Deputy.