Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends on issuing an instruction to the CIÉ group and Iarnród Éireann to preserve the railway alignment from Collooney to Athenry for use as a railway line, and that no sale or lease is to take place along the alignment that would impede this development, particularly in view of the impending publication of the strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6642/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Strategic Rail Reviewis 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 Reviewis 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 is also considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.

It would be premature to commit to preserving the railway alignment or the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor before the Reviewis finalised.

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