Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has plans to develop light rail in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10428/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). This strategy will replace the existing Galway Transport Strategy adopted in 2016 and will provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the delivery of transport and the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the Galway Metropolitan Area.

As part of the development of the new GMATS, mode specific analysis is being undertaken in the form of a Light Rail Feasibility Study and a Strategic Roads Feasibility Study. The findings from both studies will be used to inform the development of the multi-modal GMATS, alongside recommendations for active travel, bus, rail, roads and demand management measures.

The Light Rail Feasibility Study was published by the NTA on 30 October 2024 for information and has shown that there could, under the right conditions, be a case for developing a light rail systems in Galway. The feasibility study is not intended to specifically identify a preferred alignment of a light rail corridor in Galway. Instead, it explores key issues and potential feasibility. Route options will need to be explored in more detail during any subsequent process of options assessment and development.

The feasibility study will form part of the evidence base used as an input into the development of the GMATS, which will be subject to a full environmental analysis and public consultation process in due course. It should be noted that any future light rail project in Galway will only be advanced subject to funding and securing relevant Government approval under the Infrastructure Guidelines.

This plan-led, long term and multi-modal approach to transport infrastructure delivery is in line with international best practice. It is important we consider a metropolitan area's transport requirements in the round rather than through the narrow prism of one specific mode.