Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2022
37. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered making resources available to Irish Rail to provide a high-speed rail service between Cork, Dublin and Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55877/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I, along with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland have commissioned an All Island Strategic Rail Review. The Strategic Rail Review is considering the future development of the rail network in Ireland. The Review is ongoing and being carried out by ARUP consultants.
The Strategic Rail Review will review the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for high-/higher speed), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, rail connectivity to our international gateways and improved connectivity to the North West.
The Review will consider 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. This will include consideration for a high speed rail service between Cork, Dublin and Belfast.
This review will provide a framework to develop an improved rail network in the years ahead and I look forward to its completion which is currently expected in this quarter.
