Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

403. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the Cork Luas and a timeline for its delivery and whether funding has been provided to the National Transport Authority for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59526/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the proposed Cork Light Rail, or Luas Cork, project.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in partnership with the NTA, invited members of the public to take part in a non-statutory public consultation of the emerging preferred route for Luas Cork between April and June of this year. Approximately 1,000 responses were received as part of the public consultation and the issues highlighted in those submissions have been included in the post consultation report published by TII recently.

The Department of Transport's annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030 were set in the Review of the National Development Plan, published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in July. My Department is reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including public transport projects, and a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment is expected over the coming month.

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

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

404. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of proposed light rail for Galway city; the agency which is leading this project, if the capital funding been provided to advance it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59527/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure.

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.

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