Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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180.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the all-Ireland strategic rail review and the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31314/24]

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

A draft Report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, public consultation in July of last year. As part of the draft Report's recommendations, there would be the rehabilitation of disused lines such as the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris. It is recommended in the draft Review Report that works commence on the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris by circa 2030.

The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September 2023 and submissions have been reviewed by officials from both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The Final Report, taking account of the comments raised in the consultation, was approved by Government on 16th July 2024. It is envisaged that the Final Report will be published before the end of Summer, in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

It is important to note that individual programmes and projects referred to within the Final Review Report will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.