Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the western rail corridor for freight and passengers from Collooney to Athenry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30161/23]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will announce the Athenry to Claremorris portion of the western rail corridor and an anticipated commencement date; if he will now begin assessing the potential for the next phase of the western rail corridor from Claremorris to Collooney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30167/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 52 and 72 together.

As committed to in the National Development Plan, the Western Rail Corridor is being considered as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review announced in 2021 by Minister Ryan in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The need for Ireland to develop a more strategic framework for investment in our rail network was previously noted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Investment Bank. This Review is the first such Departmental-led Review in two decades and the first ever to be conducted on an all-island basis.

The Review will inform the development rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. The Review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.

Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, public consultation in July. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for Ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government in the autumn.

In parallel, the final report will be submitted to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland for their approval. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework or relevant legislation in place in Northern Ireland at that time.

I am sure Deputies will acknowledge that in light of the above processes, it would be premature to commit to the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor before the Review is finalised and presented to Government.