Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 33 of 10 November 2022 and 81 of 19 January 2023, the status of the preparations for carrying out the promised feasibility study of light rail in Galway; the timeline for the feasibility study; the status of the specialist team tasked with assisting the National Transport Authority in the updating of the Galway Transport Strategy; the membership of the specialist team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10377/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, has begun the process of developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS).  A feasibility study of light rail will be undertaken as part of the development of the new strategy which will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy.  

The NTA is currently assessing tenders received for the GMATS project.  The NTA expects to complete this assessment process by the end of next month at which point the composition of the strategy team will be known.

The NTA will undertake a comprehensive public consultation exercise on a draft GMATS as part of the development process, with an expected publication of a final strategy before the end of 2023.