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Rail Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Questions (220)

Michael McGrath

Question:

220. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps taken in line with the National Development Plan 2018-2027 in support of a high speed rail link between Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2055/19]

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Written answers

The National Development Plan (NDP) states that the priority funding objective in relation to the mainline rail network is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network. This objective is in line with the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund’s Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA) – Ireland report as published in September 2017.

In line with that funding objective, the funding allocations committed under the NDP provide for a fully-funded, or steady state, level of maintenance and renewal across the Iarnród Éireann network, which represents a significant and recurring annual contribution from the taxpayer towards our heavy rail network.

The work-programme planned over the period 2019 to 2023 as funded by this significantly increased level of funding will allow for increased ballast cleaning, rail milling and track renewal with the Dublin – Cork line being a priority area of investment over the period. These investments will benefit passengers through an improved journey experience in the years ahead.

The NDP also states that the Dublin-Limerick Junction-Cork rail line will be subject to an examination to move to higher speeds leading to improved connectivity through improved rail journey times. It also commits toward an evaluation of high-speed rail on the line, as compared to higher speeds on the line, with this evaluation to be completed by 2020.

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