Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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50. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consideration given to the inclusion of a light rail system for Galway in the upcoming review of the National Development Plan; when the plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39984/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council. 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.

Part of the development of the new GMATS necessitates mode specific analysis and this 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 30th October 2024 for information.

The NTA considers that it is appropriate to await An Coimisiún Pleanála’s determination on the re-submitted N6 Galway City Ring Road application. The NTA will then review the timeline, and publication date for the GMATS when this determination has been made.

Of course, once sufficiently developed the draft Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS) will be opened to full public consultation. 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.

The publication of the National Development Plan is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.