Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2023
104. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport his views on the value of extending an electrified train service to Wicklow town, as included in the NTA's transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2222/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme.
Further extensions to DART services in the years ahead are being considered as part of the NTA’s review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The revised draft Strategy includes proposals to extend DART services beyond Greystones to Wicklow. However, any such extension is a separate project to DART+ Coastal South and would require its own approvals.
It is important that we address constraints in the rail sector and allow rail to fulfil its potential as a sustainable mode of transport in pursuit of our legally-binding decarbonisation targets.
The Strategy is a multi-modal, twenty-year transport strategy for the region and one that must be reflected in relevant land-use strategies across the GDA. The Strategy is subject to a formal statutory approval process and the final version is expected to be published in the near future.
