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Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Questions (157)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

157. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport when a decision will be made on the reopening of the Athenry to Claremorris section of the Western Rail Corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39028/21]

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Written answers

As the Deputy may know, in January my Department published both Iarnród Éireann’s financial and economic appraisal (the “EY Report”) and the independent review of it that had been commissioned by my Department and conducted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Investment Bank/EU Commission.

This independent review noted a number of shortcomings in relation to the proposed re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3 as presented, in particular around issues such as the need to demonstrate the strategic role of the proposal and how it sat within the broader proposed development of the network.

Government noted the conclusions of both the EY Report and the JASPERS Review in December 2020 and also noted my intention to launch a Strategic Rail Review of the rail network. This Review will be conducted in co-operation with colleagues in the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and will examine the potential scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network, including disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.

My Department launched the procurement process in April and has now identified a preferred bidder. I expect work on the Review to commence following the summer and the Review itself is scheduled to be completed within 12 months.

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