George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that, in the context of double tracking parts of the Rosslare to Dublin rail line, costly tunnelling through Bray Head has been included as part of the proposal; his views on whether more cost-effective ways of double tracking, for example, north of Greystones and south of Greystones as far as Wicklow town, adding a second platform to Wexford O' Hanrahan train station and increasing speeds in south Wicklow, would suffice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50880/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, in relation to the rail network. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

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.

The Review considered interventions to enable faster and more frequent journeys between Rosslare Europort and Dublin, including adding passing loops, tunnelling through Bray Head, developing a new railway along the M11 corridor, and building a new line for DART services along the N11 corridor. Many of these solutions would be very costly and unlikely to be justifiable as the line would not be expected to support more than one or two trains per hour in each direction. As these interventions were not further assessed under the Review, there was no cost-benefit analysis performed.

You may be aware the DART+ Coastal South project involves an improvement to DART services on the existing DART line south of Dublin city, with the current focus on enhancing services between Bray and Greystones.

In addition, the NTA's GDA Transport Strategy 2022-2042 includes a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages, which are currently undergoing safety testing. The NTA is currently examining this issue with a view to progressing the extension by around 2029, subject to funding and approvals.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve facilities at Clonmel railway station including the scope of these works subject to planning; the timeline for these works and the level of investment planned; if he will provide an artist’s impression of the station once works are completed. [50915/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans for investment in railway stations and bus stations in 2026, by county, of the proposed investment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50916/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including bus stations.

The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including plans for investment in the rail network, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months.

In view of Iarnród Éireann and the NTA's responsibility in the matters raised, I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.