Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline regarding the development of a strategic freight terminal at Limerick Junction railway station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60325/21]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Rail Freight 2040 Strategy and the results of the all-island Strategic Rail Review will be designed to complement each other in terms of rail freight and passenger rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60326/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

I believe that rail can play a greater role in the movement of goods on the island of Ireland.

The Strategic Rail Reviewwill consider the potential for rail freight along with an examination on how to improve sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhance regional accessibility, support balanced regional development and improve rail connectivity to our international gateways.

The Reviewwill consider 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.

Included in the Reviewwill be an extensive examination of relevant policy and strategy documentation affecting rail in Ireland, including of course Iarnród Éireann’s recently published Rail Freight 2040 Strategy, including its proposed development of freight terminals over the next 10 – 15 years. I see both pieces of work being very much complementary with the commercial perspective of Iarnród Éireann’s analysis to be supported by the broader strategic perspective of the Reviewtaking into account the potential of all-island freight movements also.

The Reviewwill be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead.

The Review'spublic consultation is open until 21st January 2022 and I would encourage all interested parties to participate.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the DART extension to Drogheda, County Louth is expected to be delivered; the original delivery date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60327/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The DART+ Programme comprises five different, but complementary, projects of which DART+ Coastal Northis one. For the Deputy's information, the other four projects are :

- DART+ West;

- DART+ South West;

- DART+ Coastal South; and

- DART+ Fleet.

Naturally there is a sequencing to the delivery of these different projects as each sits within the overall Programme framework and it is also the case that the success of some projects depends on the early delivery of others.

Of the five projects, DART+ Westand DART+ Fleetare the most advanced and I am seeking Government approval this week to allow DART+ Westenter the statutory planning system and also allow a contract to be signed in relation to DART+ Fleet. DART+ South West is the next most advanced of theinfrastructure projects with the second round of non-statutory public consultation underway in relation to it and I expect that project will enter the statutory planning system during 2022.

Design consultants have already been appointed to the DART+ Coastal Northproject and next year will see the start of the non-statutory public consultation processes in relation to the project, as has been happening this year with DART+ Westand DART+ South West. These non-statutory consultation periods are an important input into the planning and design of the project and I’d encourage all interested stakeholders to contribute to those debates on DART+ Coastal Northnext year.