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Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021

Thursday, 4 February 2021

Questions (26, 27)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

26. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if a route by route analysis of rail lines has been conducted in order to assess whether diesel, electric or hydrogen powered trains are the most appropriate; if not, if he plans to carry out such an analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6090/21]

View answer

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

27. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there is a date by which polluting diesel trains should all have been removed from the rail network and replaced by more environmentally sustainable alternatives as in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6091/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.

Decarbonisation of our society and economy is obviously a key policy priority for Government and transport has a significant role to play in that regard.

An important part of that role is the expansion of sustainable mobility options in our major urban centres and across the country to enable people to make the switch toward more sustainable transport modes – active travel, bus and rail. This will require significant investment in our infrastructure and our services and the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits toward such a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and I look forward to fulfilling that commitment.

I am also clear that within our sustainable mobility sector, or more particularly within public transport, we need to transition toward low-emission and zero-emission fleets in line with available technologies.

In bus, that shift has already commenced with the decision to end the purchase of diesel-only buses for the urban centres, the entry into service of hybrid buses, and most recently the National Transport Authority’s commencing a procurement process in relation to zero-emission buses for the major urban centres. I understand the NTA is also exploring procurement options for zero-emission fleets in town centres also. This transition is in line with the relevant actions set out in the Climate Action Plan.

In rail, the key focus has been to expand electrification through the DART+ programme of investment which, once completed, will mean around 70% of passenger journeys across the rail network will be on electrified services and will represent a significant shift from the position today. The scope to expand electrification (or the possible use of battery-electric fleet) to Cork and other urban centres has been, or is being, considered as part of their metropolitan area transport strategies.

In  terms of inter-urban rail, which is obviously a much smaller component of total annual passenger journeys as compared to that covered by the DART+ programme, I have stated my commitment to conduct a Strategic Rail Review and it is my intention that one of the issues that Review will consider will be future decarbonisation of the inter-city / inter-regional networks. I would note that there is no settled perspective on this matter in a European context, as evidenced by the EU’s recently published Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy which notes the need for further electrification but that where electrification is not viable other options such as hydrogen should be explored. It is my intention that the forthcoming Review will give an Irish dimension to that European perspective.

Questions Nos. 28 and 29 answered with Question No. 22.
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