Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:31. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future of rail transport in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4612/24]
View answerThursday, 1 February 2024
Questions (31)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, there are two important aspects to the issue of future rail in County Clare.
The first is the proposals set out in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS) which was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2022. The 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 implementation of those measures over the lifetime of the Strategy which extends to 2040.
As part of LSMATS, Iarnród Éireann have appointed a consultant to undertake a feasibility study which will aim to identify and recommend infrastructure solutions to increase the capacity and resilience of the Limerick-Ennis rail line. The LSMATS also identified Ballysimon as a potential location for a new park and ride train station as part of plans to develop a commuter rail service in the Limerick area and to increase public transport usage.
The second aspect is the All-Island 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.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft was published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July 2023. An increase in service frequency to at least one train per two hours between Galway and Limerick, services between Cork and Galway via Limerick and more direct services between Galway and Limerick are short term recommendations included in the draft Report.
The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by the Project Team and officials from both jurisdictions. 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, 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 currently expected that the final Review will be published by the Summer.