Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update to include costings, plans and progress made on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. [38846/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Strategic Rail Reviewis being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

Following a competitive tendering process, Arup were appointed to undertake the Review,which commenced last September. A public consultation process ran from 26th November to 21st January. Submissions made as part of that public consultation have been considered and continue to inform the rest of the Review. The total cost of the Review is expected to be in the order of €1.2 million to €1.5 million.

I have previously stated my belief in the potential of rail. It is important that we identify current constraints in the rail sector, and appropriately balance decarbonisation priorities, economic growth and rural connectivity objectives to achieve a strategy which allows rail to fulfil its potential as a resilient and sustainable mode of transport and generator of economic growth for people across Ireland.

The Strategic Rail Reviewwill establish the framework for investment in the rail network in the coming decades in support of these objectives. I look forward to its completion later this year and publication of the final report, which is expected in Quarter 4.