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Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026

Thursday, 26 February 2026

Questions (154)

Duncan Smith

Duncan Smith

Duncan Smith

Question:

154. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the 4 North Project; and if his Government is prepared to fund such a much needed proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/26]

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Written answers

Darragh O'Brien

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.

The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published by the Department of Transport in November last year.

The Rail Strategy also identifies Major Projects, including capacity/frequency enhancements and electrification of intercity rail lines, to be progressed.

These Major Projects include “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes, and reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry.

Analysis on FourNorth is also being progressed by Iarnród Éireann, with funding provided by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This analysis will support the preparation of project appraisal documentation.

These developments will help progress the FourNorth project, which is also noted specifically in the Programme for Government.

It should also be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the?Rail?Review and the Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.?

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