Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
221. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if there will be time for the Government to ensure that the Western rail corridor is added to the TEN-T network following the publication of the All-Island Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24970/23]
View answerThe All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, will inform the development of inter-urban/inter-regional rail on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. It is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
The Review is now at an advanced stage. Before the Review can be finalised, however, it is being considered under relevant environmental regulations, in particular the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) regulations. If screened-in for SEA, a draft of the Review will be published for SEA public consultation before it is finalised and approved. It is anticipated that any such public consultation for the purposes of the environmental regulations would launch in July.
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 autumn.
The European Commission proposals for the revised TEN-T Regulation are currently at the trilogue stage in Brussels, with a view to adoption by the end of the year. I expect that the timings of both processes will allow Ireland adopt an informed position as regards the finalisation of the TEN-T rail network.
