Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is his policy to only significantly improve and expand the rail network in which there is currently a high density of population rather than providing a national network that would give rail access to all parts of the State and enable the lower populated areas to grow more rapidly thus contributing to a better spatial distribution of persons and economic activity across the State. [62604/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that is most definitely not the policy or approach I am pursuing.

The National Planning Frameworksets out the spatial planning context for the State’s development for the next twenty years and I certainly believe improved public transport (including rail) has a role to play in supporting NSO1: Compact Growth; NSO2: Enhanced Regional Accessibility; NSO3: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities; NSO4: Sustainable Mobility and NSO8: Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.

I do believe that in examining transport connectivity issues, those issues need to be examined on a mode neutral basis and that specific issues will require different solutions depending on the specific circumstances.

In terms of the transport needs of rural and regional Ireland there are two hugely significant initiatives currently underway, the Strategic Rail Reviewand the National Transport Authority’s Connecting Ireland – Rural Mobility Plan.

Both of these initiatives are examining improved public transport in rural and regional Ireland and in the case of the Strategic Rail Reviewis specifically considering the potential of rail in the context of rural and regional Ireland.

These initiatives, when finalised, will support the spatial distribution as set out in the National Planning Framework.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of the members of the steering group that has been established to oversee the strategic rail review; the key stakeholders that have representation on the group; the way they were selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62605/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As is standard in such circumstances, the High Level Steering Group for the All Island Strategic Rail Review consists of senior representatives from relevant bodies, albeit in this case it also reflects the all-island aspect of the Review.

The High Level Steering Group is chaired at Assistant Secretary level from my Department and comprises representatives from -

- Department of Transport;

- Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland);

- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage;

- Commission for Rail Regulation;

- National Transport Authority;

- Iarnród Éireann; and

- Translink (Northern Ireland).

My Department has also engaged JASPERS, an agency of the EU / EIB, as its technical advisers on the Review.