Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will prioritise funding to increase track capacity on the northern line from two to four tracks; his best estimate on when this can be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41980/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that potential capacity enhancements on the Northern rail line are being examined as part of a study being undertaken by Iarnród Éireann and funded by the EU under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Separately, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review has been undertaken by the Department of Transport in Ireland in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The final Report of the Review was published in July 2024. The Review informs the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net carbon zero targets in both jurisdictions, and includes the potential construction of a new railway on the M1 corridor as well as four-tracking proposals for the Northern line. However, no decision has been made on these projects which would be subject to separate funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.

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. 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.

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