Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
308. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the full publication 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. [17530/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the Review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage. However, before the Review can be formally approved it will require consideration under relevant environmental regulations, in particular the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) regulations. If deemed applicable, then a draft of the Review will need to be published for public consultation under the relevant environmental regulations before it can be formally finalised and approved. It is anticipated that any such consultation for the purposes of the environmental regulations would take place during Q2.
Following the completion of environmental regulatory procedures and finalisation of the report, the Review will be submitted for my formal approval and ultimately to Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the NI Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022 or relevant legislation in place at the time.
It is expected that the final Review will therefore be published in the second half of 2023.
