Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
318. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the repairs which have been undertaken on foot of the 2011-2030 rail network strategy review which highlighted capacity issues in relation to Galway, Rosslare, Waterford, Sligo and Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32700/20]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future commits toward a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland.
My Department provides capital funding to Irish Rail for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network under the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC). The IMMAC is the funding programme under which an extensive range of infrastructural improvements are carried out. The current IMMAC will provide over €1billion to Iarnród Éireann over the five-year period from 2020-2024 and allow it maintain, renew and improve rail infrastructure, which will deliver improved journey speeds and increased reliability for passengers across the country.
The Deputy is no doubt also aware of the contract for the manufacture and delivery of 41 InterCity Rail Cars (ICRs). The additional 41 ICRs will be deployed across a number of lines and will be used to extend the existing train sets, providing additional capacity where those train sets are used.
Construction of the first of the 41 additional ICR carriages is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Additionally, both the construction of the National Train Control Centre and completion of the City Centre Resignalling Project next year will enable and facilitate increased/improved services across the network generally.
In relation to inter-urban rail, I have also recently agreed with my Northern colleague Minister Nicola Mallon, MLA, the need to develop further existing draft terms of reference for a proposed study of rail speeds on the Belfast-Dublin-Limerick Junction-Cork corridor, designated at EU level as a TEN-T Core Corridor.
This study will be a comprehensive assessment of the potential for high-speed rail on the island of Ireland and will be conducted in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland. Importantly the study will also examine and consider the interactions and implications between the TEN-T Core Corridor and the wider rail network.
Our Departments will work together with other relevant stakeholders in finalising the terms of reference and moving forward with the procurement of consultants.
I look forward to the commencement of this important study in due course.
