Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will finalise the rail investment implementation strategy; and when the strategy will be published. [36422/25]

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on his Department’s progress in developing a project prioritisation strategy for rail investment; and when this will be published. [36423/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Following two public consultations, the Review’s Final Report was published in July 2024.

The Review's Final Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. 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.

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. As part of this work, a Project Prioritisation Strategy, which considers how best to optimise the sequencing and implementation of the Review recommendations, including both short-term interventions and longer-term projects, is at an advanced stage of preparation and is planned for publication later this year.

This work will additionally inform my Department's engagement on the review of the current National Development Plan, which is ongoing. It should also be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the Rail Review will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals.