John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the considerations his Department is giving towards proposing the inclusion of recommended inter-city rail projects earmarked in the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review, including the double tracking of rail lines from Dublin as far as Mullingar, Athlone, and Kilkenny, as well as between Galway and Athenry in the revised National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22846/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken by the Department of Transport in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

The Review’s Final Report was published on 31st July 2024. The Review sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050. 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, higher service frequencies and new routes.

It should be noted 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 in Ireland.

Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Advisory Services, the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations in the years ahead to help optimise the sequencing and implementation of the proposed investments.

This work will inform the Department's engagement on the review of the National Development Plan, which is currently underway.