Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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358. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, given the further delays to the DART plus for Drogheda project as a result of An Bord Pleanála seeking a further extension, he will intervene and bring forward legislation to ensure it can be delivered in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30188/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme.

My Department submitted the Preliminary Business Case for DART+ Coastal North to Government, at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines, and the project received consent for approval in May 2024. A Railway Order was subsequently lodged by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to An Bord Pleanála in July 2024. The Statutory Consultation period ran from July 2024 to October 2024. The project is currently awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála. The timeline for the consideration of the Railway Order and the length of the decision making process is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working to advance the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which will include significant restructuring with respect to An Bord Pleanála, which will be renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála. The Act will also introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will help bring increased certainty to planning consent processes.

The Deputy can contact the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for further details on the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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359. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Dublin Port Company has made a decision to not allow Irish Rail use Alexandra Road to access Dublin Port directly for freight services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30211/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Alexandra Road is one of the busiest roads within Dublin Port with thousands of truck and multiple rail movements occurring on it every day. The volume of heavy traffic on the road has led to significant wear and tear which has also impacted on the rail line.

This situation has led to Dublin Port Company (DPC) commencing an essential upgrade on Alexandra Road, which will also address the condition of the rail line. DPC has advised my Department that these works are expected to commence shortly and take approximately 18 months to complete. These works will provide much-needed remedial upgrades to road and rail infrastructure, which has deteriorated in recent years, presenting operational and safety risks.

The Alexandra Road rail line will be future-proofed to accommodate higher wheel loads, with direct rail access into the Port expected to resume in 2027 via the upgraded line. The project also includes a new road layout, pedestrian and cycle path, and replacement of underground services, critically including ducting to support EirGrid’s ‘Powering Up Dublin’ project.

In advance of the works to Alexandra Road, DPC, working with Irish Rail, has completed a €9 million investment in the freight yard at North Wall. This facility will manage all rail freight operations during upcoming works on Alexandra Road and create additional capacity for potential rail freight volumes, subject to market demand. This is the most significant completed rail freight investment at any Irish port over the last decade and supports DPC’s long-term commitment to sustainable transport and rail freight, as outlined in its Masterplan 2040.

This project has been communicated to all relevant stakeholders over two years ago and extensive consultations have occurred in the interim to allow users to make alternative arrangements.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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360. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is aware of the recommendations of the rail safety investigation unit regarding a recent incident at Navan Road Parkway station where passengers were locked onto a platform due to a locked gate and had to cross the train lines on foot to exit the station; the steps being taken at this station to avoid a similar incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30213/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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361. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that Irish Rail spent on marketing campaigns in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025; the WTE staff, by job title working in marketing department of Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30296/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport companies.

The issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Irish Rail for direct response.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.