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Rail Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Ceisteanna (45)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

45. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of completing the rail line from Dunboyne to Navan; the status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27373/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport,  I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area in the first instance.

The issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan was considered by the NTA during its development of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035. The Strategy concluded that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level

of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre was insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at that time.

However, it was also stated that as part of the statutorily required review of the Strategy, the likely future usage of a rail connection to Navan would be reassessed, taking into account the level of development that will have taken place over the intervening period in Navan and Dunshaughlin and their environs. Obviously the issue of cost will be one of the considerations of any such reassessment.

I can inform the Deputy that the NTA has commenced preparatory work on the review of the Strategy and it intends to hold a full public consultation next year with the process expected to be fully concluded within the next 18 months.

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