Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
143. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the proposals that he has put to the Government in relation to the upgrade of the rail line from Foynes to Limerick; the decisions that have been taken in relation to this vital project; the amount that will be expended on this project; the details of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the rehabilitation of the rail link from Shannon Foynes Port to Limerick, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
I can confirm that €64 million is to be allocated this year from my Department to Iarnród Éireann in respect of the Foynes Line Rehabilitation Works for 2022. This is additional to the total allocation already provided for in the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) for this year for the entire rail network.
The Deputy may wish to note that as a port on the European TEN-T Core Network, it is a requirement under EU regulations that a rail link to Shannon Foynes be developed by 2030.
