Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated timeline for the upcoming review of the Galway transport strategy and in particular the promised feasibility study on light rail in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53425/21]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it was decided to have a review of the Galway Transport Strategy less than five years after this 20 year strategy was published; if this will cause delays to projects already in planning or already commenced in the formal planning process; the terms of reference of the new review; when will they be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53823/21]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the terms of reference of the review of the Galway Transport Study to be commenced in 2022 will incorporate an examination of light rail for Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53824/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 228 and 229 together.

The review of the Galway Transport Strategy will be undertaken next year and will be led by the National Transport Authority (NTA), in co-operation with Galway City Council and Galway County Council.

I believe there is a need to review the Strategy and take stock of developments since its publication in 2016. A feasibility study for light rail in Galway will be carried out as part of the review of the Strategy. This will allow for a multi-modal perspective and integration within an overall land-use plan. It is entirely normal to review and refresh twenty year transport strategies periodically, indeed it is a statutory requirement in the case of the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategythat it is reviewed every six years and that review has commenced.

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. This analysis will be utilised to reassess the public transport needs across Galway city and the potential role all modes of transport, including light rail, can play in meeting those needs.

I know from meeting many different stakeholders in the region the urgent need to focus on delivering the key elements of the existing Galway Transport Strategysuch as BusConnects. A significant amount of planning and design has already taken place which will enable construction activity in the coming years across active travel, bus and rail related projects including BusConnects. I will continue to provide support in that regard with funding and other assistance offered through the NTA. I look forward to the Deputies support as we seek to deliver on this ambition in the years ahead.