Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); the estimated cost to return the rail line to the standard required for passenger use; his views on the benefit of rail connectivity being maintained between Dublin to Rosslare to Waterford to Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63301/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am not specifically aware of the document the Deputy refers to, however I understand there are often a wide range of costs associated with re-opening any disused railway line. 

As the Deputy is aware, I do believe our rail network requires a broad strategic review to better understand its role and assess its future potential.  A review is underway to consider whether opportunities exist to better utilise currently underused lines, or closed lines such as the Rosslare to Waterford line.  

The Strategic Rail Review is being led by my Department, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland).  It will inform the development of inter-urban and inter-regional rail on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.

This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years.A public consultation is underway, open until 21st January.  I would encourage all interested parties to participate.  For the Deputy's information, I expect a final report from the Review to be available by Q4 2022. 

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the feasibility of using St. Stephen’s Green as the interchange station between the Luas and MetroLink in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to prioritise plans for the delivery of MetroLink, Luas and other light rail expansion projects. [63312/21]

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the MetroLink project; and his views on the feasibility of using St. Stephen’s Green as the interchange station between the Luas and MetroLink. [63513/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 221 together.

The MetroLink project is currently at Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle under the Public Spending Code. 

The key document at Decision Gate 1 is the Preliminary Business Case and a Preliminary Business Case has been submitted to my Department for initial review in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. Once the review process is completed,  I will then be in a position to seek the relevant Government approval for the project. 

Approval at Decision Gate 1 will permit MetroLink enter the statutory planning system. At a project level I understand work is ongoing to complete all the necessary planning, environmental and property referencing documentation required for a planning application, with an expectation that this work will be completed by Q2 this year.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including light rail infrastructure. 

Therefore I have referred the Deputy's question regarding the feasibility of using St. Stephen's Green as an interchange between Luas and MetroLink to the NTA for a direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.