Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if timetable estimates have been carried out by Irish Rail or the National Transport Authority in relation to the possible impact on enterprise train services between Belfast and Dublin of the DART+ Coastal North plans; if not, to outline the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52751/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including in relation to the rail network. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the electrification of the rail network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.

Currently, the DART network in Dublin is the only electrified part of the Irish rail network, approximately 50km of track running from Malahide to the City Centre and southward to Greystones. Upon completion of the DART+ Programme the amount of electrified track will be trebled.

Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan, as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1 will be completed by end-2026 as required by the European Commission. This will see a significant investment (€164m of EU funds) in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.

This Summer, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract for battery-electric train-charging infrastructure at Drogheda to Alstom. The fast-charging infrastructure at Drogheda will enable new battery-electric DART+ trains, entering service in late 2025, to operate to and from Drogheda in advance of planned electrification of the line.

In addition to these projects, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken by the Department of Transport 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 has focused on how the rail network across the island could contribute to the decarbonisation of the island’s transport systems, promote sustainable connectivity into and between major cities, enhance regional accessibility, and support balanced regional development. The development and implementation of an All-Island Rail Decarbonisation Strategy that includes an electrified intercity network has been included in the recommendations in the draft Report.

Noting IÉ's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to it for a more detailed reply in relation to specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.