Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
102. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans in place to upgrade the Waterford to Dublin line by providing a second track on the section where currently only one track exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/21]
View answer107. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined the possibility of reinstating the rail connection between Rosslare and the Waterford to Limerick line; and his views on whether developing this line to carry rail freight would reduce traffic pressure along the N24 and improve the connectivity of the region. [11077/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 107 together.
As the Deputies may be aware my Department is preparing terms of reference for a Strategic Rail Review. This Review will consider all relevant issues in relation to inter-urban rail, inter/intra-regional rail and rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight. The rail lines referred to by the Deputies will be considered as part of this review of the network.
This Review will be conducted on an all-island basis and as such, will allow for a fuller consideration of the potential role of rail, and the network that would be required to support that potential.
I am informed that the intention is to launch the tender process for the review by end Q1. This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead.
