Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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209.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when implementation of the All-Island Rail Review, which was launched recently, will commence; the process by which projects will be selected for early implementation; the priority that will be given in this to balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34175/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, the final Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was published in July of this year. The 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.

The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies. Furthermore, the vision involves the construction of new rail lines, particularly in the North Midlands and North West, widening accessibility and connectivity.

Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), my Department and Department for Infrastructure and agencies north and south are already working to progress the Review's recommendations, maintaining momentum. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade, taking account of policy goals such as balanced regional development. Further information on this work will be available later this year, and progress will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.