Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
71. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if the Government will ensure that the Western Rail Corridor is added to the TEN-T network following the publication of the All-Island Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43921/23]
View answerAs referred to in the National Development Plan, the Western Rail Corridor is being considered as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which I announced in 2021 in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The need for Ireland to develop a more strategic framework for investment in our rail network was previously noted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Investment Bank. This Review is the first such Departmental-led Review in two decades and the first to be conducted on an all-island basis.
The Review will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. The Review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July. The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by the Project Team and officials from both jurisdictions. Following the completion of the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the NI Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022 or relevant legislation in place at the time.
As the Deputy is aware, negotiations are ongoing on the revision of the existing TEN-T Regulation. This will be the first full revision of the Regulation since its adoption in 2013, with further revisions likely in the future given the Regulation’s horizon to 2050. Negotiations are currently at the trilogue stage in Brussels, with a final agreement possible over the coming months. My Department will continue to liaise with the relevant European Union institutions on the finalisation of the Strategic Rail Review and its impact on Ireland’s position in relation to this current revision of the TEN-T Network.
