Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
35. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on future plans with respect to rail transport in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20827/23]
View answer41. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to adding a second track to a rail line (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 41 together.
There are two aspects to the issue of rail improvements in County Clare.
The first are the proposals set out in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS) which was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1 December 2022. LSMATS was prepared by the NTA in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the cooperation of Iarnród Éireann. LSMATS sets out an ambitious range of measures in relation to the future development of a Limerick Commuter Rail Network (extending to Ennis in County Clare) and the focus is on implementation of those measures over the lifetime of the Strategy which extends to 2040.
The second aspect is the Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades, including the Limerick to Galway line in County Clare.
The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for higher/high-speed), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This includes the role of rail freight. The Review is also considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines.
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 the Review is screened-in for SEA, a draft will be published for the purposes of SEA public consultation before it is finalised and approved. It is anticipated that any such consultation for the purposes of the environmental regulations would take place in the coming months.
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.
