Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to the upgrade of the train line from Sligo to Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8944/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades, to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions.

Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation last July. Double tracking of the rail line from Maynooth to Mullingar, which is on the Sligo line, is included in the recommendations in the draft Report.

The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by officials from both jurisdictions. Following this process, it is expected that a final report will be submitted for Ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure. It is expected that the final Review will be published by the summer.