Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The period concerned in the Deputy's question coincides with a period of substantial reduction in passenger volumes as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. While during this period there has been no service enhancement on railway lines, pre-Covid-19 service levels been retained on all routes despite a substantial reduction in passenger volumes

The details of the destinations that are served on non-radial routes out of Dublin and the frequency of service on each of these lines are in the first instance an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the strategic rail review for the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30747/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 115 together.

The Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), will inform the development of the railway sector 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 an improved rail network for our future.

The Review will consider all issues in relation to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity, including the potential for high-/higher speed(s) and improved connectivity to the North West.

It will also 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.

As per the Terms of Reference, the Review will provide a broad and comprehensive strategy for passenger operations, considering issues such as multimodality, fare structures, payment systems, passenger information, multi-modal interchange, and potential business opportunities.

It will also focus in on a small number of agreed case studies to elaborate the main findings in more detail, explaining where successful systems have been delivered or where solutions have struggled to deliver the intended benefits, describing the underlying context in those locations and indicating lessons for future system planning.

The Review is ongoing, and I expect to receive a final report later this year.