Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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233.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is currently considering providing a light rail link on the Athlone-Mullingar rail line in the interest of connectivity. [32469/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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No, my Department is not currently considering providing a light rail link between Athlone and Mullingar.

However, as the Deputy may be aware, the potential for a rail connection between Mullingar and Athlone was examined as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.

The Review is being 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.

Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft Report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, public consultation in July of last year.

The draft Report makes 30 strategic recommendations to enhance the rail system across the island up to 2050. A reinstated single-track line between Mullingar and Athlone is included in the recommendations. Implementation of these recommendations would result in substantial improvements in the capacity, speed, frequency and reach of the rail system.

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 Review report, taking account of the comments raised in the consultation, recently received Government of Ireland approval and the final Review will be published very shortly, subject to formal approval by the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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234.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the reopening of Killucan railway station. [32470/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the former station at Killucan, is a matter for Iarnród éireann in the first instance.

In 2023, my Department made funding available to Iarnród éireann to allow it to undertake a ‘Killucan-Rathwire and Kinnegad Area Transport Environs Study’. The wide geographic scope of the environs study will help ensure that the optimal location for any future potential train station in the area is identified with respect to population, transport demand and proximity to the existing network.

Noting Iarnród éireann's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Iarnród éireann for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.