Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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41. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 5 October 2023, the status of the feasibility study on light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the development of the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; the details of the engagement between the National Transport Authority and local groups in the development of the draft strategy, and in particular the feasibility study on light rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52833/23]

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, are currently updating and further developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), which will, when finalised, replace the existing strategy which was adopted in 2016. As part of the development of the new GMATS, a feasibility study of light rail is being undertaken and is well advanced, with baseline assessments concluded and a route options assessment process underway.

The NTA anticipates that the public consultation on the draft GMATS will commence in Quarter 1 2024, with the transport strategy expected to be finalised later in the year following review and consideration of the public consultation responses. The public consultation will give stakeholders, including local groups, the opportunity to share their views on the draft GMATS and the results of the feasibility study of light rail in Galway.

Given the NTA's role in the review of the strategy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for the latest available information in relation to when the NTA expects the feasibility study on light rail in Galway to be complete and when the public consultation on the draft GMATS is expected to begin. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.