Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the publication of the all-island rail review is delayed indefinitely until an executive is formed in Northern Ireland; if he will reconsider his position that the results of the rail review should inform Ireland's TEN-T network given the delay in the publication of the review; if there will be sufficient time to request that the European Union restores the Western Rail Corridor to the final TEN-T network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63293/22]

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.

The Review considers the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network.  That scope includes the Western Rail Corridor and connectivity with Northern Ireland.

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. 

It would be premature to commit to the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor before the Review is finalised.

The European Commission proposals for the revised TEN-T Regulation is currently at the trilogue stage in Brussels, with a view to adoption by the end of the year. As such, there is still time for the results of the Review to inform Ireland's position in relation to the future TEN-T network.

The Review is at an advanced stage. Publication of the final report will follow once it has been considered and approved at Ministerial level on both sides of the border.