Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is intended to proceed with the recommendations in the strategic rail review that relates to the State once the report is completed, in view of the fact that there is no functioning Executive in Northern Ireland and the fact that other rails developments have been given the go-ahead in Ireland recently, without the rail review being completed, such as the welcome progress on the Limerick to Foynes line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61528/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in cooperation 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.

The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for higher/high-speed rail), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This also includes the role of rail freight.

It is important that we address constraints in the rail sector and deliver a strategy which allows rail to fulfil its potential as a sustainable mode of transport in pursuit of decarbonisation priorities, rural connectivity objectives and as a generator of prosperity for people across Ireland. 

I look forward to a draft report from the Review being ready before the end of the year. Publication of the final report will follow once it has been considered and approved at Ministerial level on both sides of the border.

The Deputy may wish to note that as Shannon Foynes is on the European TEN-T Core Network for freight, and it is a requirement under EU regulations that a rail freight link to the port be in place by 2030.