Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made on the reopening of the Athenry to Claremorris section of the Western Rail Corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39028/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may know, in January my Department published both Iarnród Éireann’s financial and economic appraisal (the “EY Report”) and the independent review of it that had been commissioned by my Department and conducted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Investment Bank/EU Commission.

This independent review noted a number of shortcomings in relation to the proposed re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3 as presented, in particular around issues such as the need to demonstrate the strategic role of the proposal and how it sat within the broader proposed development of the network.

Government noted the conclusions of both the EY Report and the JASPERS Review in December 2020 and also noted my intention to launch a Strategic Rail Review of the rail network. This Review will be conducted in co-operation with colleagues in the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and will examine the potential scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network, including disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.

My Department launched the procurement process in April and has now identified a preferred bidder. I expect work on the Review to commence following the summer and the Review itself is scheduled to be completed within 12 months.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the updated timeframe for the delivery of the MetroLink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39038/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is likely aware, the Public Spending Code sets out the requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland and the Code applies to all public bodies and to all bodies whose projects are supported by Exchequer capital funding.

The Code sets out a number of Decision Gates in the development of a project proposal; these are points where major decisions need to be made about the progress of a project and, for projects expected to cost over €100million, Government approval is required at these Decision Gates. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle" is the first stage where the Public Spending Code stipulates that formal Government approval is required.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, the National Transport Authority has submitted MetroLink's Preliminary Business Case to my Department. The Code stipulates that it must be reviewed by both my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following completion of these necessary steps I will then bring the matter to Government for its decision.

Approval under “Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle” is required prior to any application to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order. It is anticipated that, subject to Government approval and completion of the necessary planning and environmental documentation, an application will be made to An Bord Pleanála this year.

I would note that this is the first of three Government Decision Gates and, if approved by Government at Decision Gate 1, then "Decision Gate 2: Pre-Tender Approval" requires submission of a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy which will be considered at that juncture, while finally "Decision Gate 3: Approval to Proceed" requires submission of a Final Business Case to allow substantive construction to commence.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current projected timeframe for construction works to commence electrification of the northern commuter line in order to extend the DART to Balbriggan; the current projected timeframe for the DART to Balbriggan to be completed and open for passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39039/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is likely aware, the Public Spending Code sets out the requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland and the Code applies to all public bodies and to all bodies whose projects are supported by Exchequer capital funding.

The Code sets out a number of Decision Gates in the development of a project proposal; these are points where major decisions need to be made about the progress of a project and, for projects expected to cost over €100million, Government approval is required at these Decision Gates. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle" is the first stage where the Public Spending Code stipulates that formal Government approval is required.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, the National Transport Authority has submitted the DART+ Preliminary Business Case to my Department. The Code stipulates that it must be reviewed by both my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following completion of these necessary steps I will then bring the matter to Government for its decision.

Approval under “Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle” is required prior to any application to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order. I would note that this is the first of three Government Decision Gates and, if approved by Government at Decision Gate 1, then "Decision Gate 2: Pre-Tender Approval" requires submission of a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy which will be considered at that juncture, while finally "Decision Gate 3: Approval to Proceed" requires submission of a Final Business Case to allow substantive construction to commence.

DART+ is a programme comprised of five principal elements - DART+ West, DART+ South West, DART+ Coastal North (as referred to by the Deputy), DART+ Coastal South and DART+ Fleet. DART+ West and DART+ Fleet are the two elements most advanced at this stage with Government decisions expected in respect of both expected this year, while approval stages in respect of the other elements of the programme to follow thereafter.