Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
295. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to commission an economic evaluation of higher-speed rail links between Ireland's main cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44126/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, in 2020 my Department prepared terms of reference for a high/higher-speed rail study in line with the Programme for Government commitment. However, noting the need for a wider, more comprehensive and strategic review of the entirety of the rail network, it was subsequently agreed with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) that a strategic review of the railway network should be undertaken on an all-island basis, in line with the New Decade New Approach agreement. The All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, commenced last September and will inform the development of inter-urban/inter-regional rail on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
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 high-/higher speed), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, and rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter also encompassing the role of rail freight.
This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years, providing a framework to develop a much-improved rail network for our future. I expect to receive the final report later this year.
