Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the all-Ireland strategic rail review will be completed; if he will request the conclusion on well-developed projects such as the Western Rail Corridor in advance of the full report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21092/22]

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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454. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the further timeline that is expected on the current rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21204/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 454 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), will inform the development of inter-urban / 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, providing a framework to develop a much-improved rail network for our future.

The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.  I expect to receive one report, the final report, in quarter 4 of this year.