Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the ongoing review of the Navan rail line will be completed; if he has received a cost estimation of reopening the rail line; the steps that will be taken in the next 24 months on this proposed project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44093/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware the issue of a rail connection to Navan is being re-examined as part of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The Strategy as we all know is a multi-modal, twenty year transport strategy for the region and one that must be reflected in relevant land-use strategies across the GDA.

As part of their overall review, the NTA has engaged external expertise to specifically re-examine the feasibility of a Navan Rail Line and provide an evidence based assessment of the proposals to inform the review of the overall Strategy.

I understand that the draft Strategy will be published in Q4 along with all of the background papers that informed its development. The publication of the documentation by the NTA will coincide with the launch of a public consultation process on the revised Strategy and I would encourage all interested parties to participate in that consultation process.

I would note of course that delivery of projects and programmes under any revised Strategy over the medium term will be determined by the allocations received as part of the ongoing review of the National Development Plan.