Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
149. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans in place to reopen a railway track from Tralee to Dingle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33610/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
Separately, the 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 closed Tralee to Dingle light railway line.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in later this month. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and Government in the autumn, 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 be published in the autumn of 2023.
