Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the roll-out of light rail for Galway following the publication of the feasibility study on 30 October 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22719/25]

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. Both studies will form part of the analysis 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.

The feasibility study is not intended to specifically identify a preferred alignment of a light rail corridor in the city; instead it explores key issues and potential feasibility. The study has shown that there could, under the right conditions be a case for developing a light rail system in Galway. Any future light rail project will depend on funding and government approval.

In January 2023, the High Court remitted the application for approval of the N6 Galway City Ring Road back to An Bord Pleanála for further consideration. An Bord Pleanála asked Galway County Council to provide additional updated information in relation to the planning consent application for the Ring Road which will include updating the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Natura Impact Statement. The NTA is of the view that this updated information, when provided to An Bord Pleanála, should also be considered in the preparation of the Strategic Roads Feasibility Study and the GMATS and prior to publication of a draft strategy for public consultation.

The timeline, and publication date for the GMATS is currently under review by the NTA. This is to allow for the process to take account of the updated information submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Galway County Council, on 15 April 2025, in relation to the planning consent application for the Galway City Ring Road, and any actions that may be required when the final National Demand Management Strategy ,Moving together, is approved by Government.

In the meantime, implementation will continue on the current Galway Transport Strategy. A significant amount of planning and design has already taken place which will enable construction activity in the coming years across active travel, bus and rail related projects including BusConnects.