Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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224. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether he has considered the establishment of a rail link between Youghal and Midleton in east Cork; if any feasibility studies or assessments have been conducted; if so, the estimated costs and timelines; whether there are plans to progress this project to provide a reliable public transport option for residents of east Cork (details supplied); and the measures his Department is taking to ensure east Cork is not left underserviced in terms of public transport infrastructure (details supplied). [48303/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) in 2020, which was developed in consultation with Cork City and Cork County Councils and with input from other key stakeholders, including Iarnród Éireann. As part of this process, the route from Midleton to Youghal was earmarked for development as a greenway.

CMATS will be reviewed and updated every six years and, as part of this process, the optimal transport provision in the area, including between Midleton and Youghal, can be considered again.

In addition, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024, 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.

A proposal to develop a line between Midleton and Waterford along the South Coast was examined as part of the Review, but ultimately this route was not included in the recommendations in the Final Review Report as it would likely be more cost-effective to route longer distance services between Cork and Waterford via improved railways between both cities and Limerick Junction, rather than on a new line.

One of the Review's recommendations is that the Review be updated once a decade, taking account of latest policies and developments. The potential for the Cork to Midleton line could be reassessed at this point.