Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2022
7. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will conduct a feasibility study to investigate the reopening of the Navan to Kingscourt rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45990/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority's draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area is recommending the development of a rail link to Navan by 2042. Consideration is not currently being given in the draft Strategy to extending such a rail link beyond Navan to Kingscourt.
The Strategy is subject to a formal statutory approval process and a final version is expected to be submitted for my approval from the NTA in the near future. The draft review is recommending the development of a rail link to Navan and I understand that this rail link will utilise the old Kingscourt Line over a short distance to connect the proposed Navan Central station and a proposed Navan North station.
Separately, the Deputy may be aware of the Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. This Review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
The Review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Kingscourt line referred to by the Deputy.
I expect to receive the final report from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming months and it is my intention to publish it before the end of the year.
