Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:15. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport when he will publish the all-Ireland rail review. [10008/23]
View answerThursday, 2 March 2023
Questions (15, 35, 58, 60, 86)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:35. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport when the all-island strategic rail review will be released. [9820/23]
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James O'Connor
Question:58. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of the all-Ireland rail review; if he will provide an update on the progression of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10298/23]
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Niamh Smyth
Question:60. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if the Navan to Kingscourt rail line, which is to be included in the all-island strategic rail review, will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10392/23]
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Willie O'Dea
Question:86. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport when the all-island strategic review will be completed. [10596/23]
View answerOral answers (4 contributions)
The question is self-explanatory. When will the Government publish the all-Ireland rail review? There is a particular interest in the west. If we look at the map we see an historic failure and neglect to connect the west. Our vision is to have a connection from Derry through Donegal, Sligo and Mayo to Galway. The dream is to have a rail connection established from Derry in the north-west directly through Portadown and on to Dublin.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 35, 58, 60 and 86 together.
A draft report is being finalised by Arup, the consultants carrying out the review, for submission to the two Departments. It is anticipated that the finalised draft report will then be submitted for appropriate political approval on both sides of the Border. This is, however, complicated by the absence of an Executive and relevant Minister in Northern Ireland at present, and we must be respectful of the ongoing talks to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. After the necessary approvals have been obtained, the Department will publish the report.
The review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to a number of ambitions. These are improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, including the potential for higher speed services, enhancing regional accessibility and supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This includes the role of rail freight. The review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing or potential corridors of the network, including disused and closed lines. This scope includes the Kingscourt to Navan line.
Separately, the Deputies may be aware of the work done by the National Transport Authority in the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042. The strategy, published by the NTA in January following my approval, provides for the delivery of a rail link between Dublin and Navan by 2036, with preparatory work to commence this decade under the existing national development plan. I understand this rail link could utilise the old Kingscourt line over a short distance to connect the proposed Navan central station and a proposed Navan north station.
More generally, I assure Deputies that as well as looking at issues relating to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity and the potential for higher speeds, the review is also specifically considering improved connectivity to the north west and the Border region. The Government has previously stated its belief in the potential of rail. It is important that we address constraints in the rail sector and pursue a strategy which would allow rail to fulfil its potential as a sustainable mode of transport for all our people.
One of the things I am most concerned about is TEN-T funding at European level. As the Minister knows, the Government has not submitted a proposal for reconnecting the west of Ireland through rail. I know the Minister has made some positive soundings and they have been welcomed in the west, but we can only describe this as sheer neglect. When we take out the map of rail infrastructure in Ireland, it is clear we need to connect the west, as I said, from Galway through Mayo, Sligo and Donegal, and up to Derry. Unfortunately, the failure was in the North with the British Government and with our own Governments historically. This is an opportunity to put right something that is wrong. This is about equality of access and opportunities. There are very exciting things happening in the west of Ireland, for example, at Atlantic Technological University, and some brilliant businesses and people with vision in the west, but we need the Government to meet us halfway.
The key investment decision, particularly in Donegal and the north-west, is that spur from Portadown via Dungannon, Omagh, Strabane, Letterkenny and Derry. My view is that it should be the first priority because those towns would really benefit. For example, a connection from Letterkenny to Derry would transform the town's relationship to the city. The question then is going to be for the Northern Ireland Administration and the UK Government, given I am not sure we can apply for TEN-T funding for rail infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
If we are looking at all of the different choices, that is going to be one of the key political decisions, and it is a key decision up North because it would not be cheap. Building new rail lines is very expensive. I think it is justified, particularly the connection to Donegal, which we would obviously support. To go back to the Deputy’s earlier question on whether we would invest in Northern infrastructure, the answer is "Yes" - we would do so for that sort of project, but it is not cheap. That is going to be one of the immediate questions - namely, will we get the funding for that line? - because that is the biggest new project that will come out of the strategic rail review, subject to it being agreed. That is an issue for all of our parties.