Thomas Gould
Question:199. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Northern Ring Road and his plans to reduce congestion in Cork city. [14271/26]
View answerThursday, 26 February 2026
Questions (199)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formally the Cork Northern Ring Road), and any developments in relation to the upgraded Dunkettle Interchange (which opened in February 2024). Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
BusConnects and Cork Area Commuter Rail would also reduce congestion in Cork city.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is a key project in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The Programme is being delivered on a phased basis and will involves a transformative investment, enhancing the heavy rail network across the region, connecting Mallow, Cork, Cobh and Midleton with increased train capacity. The Programme is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Phase 1 of the Programme consists of a signalling upgrade, construction of a through-platform at Kent Station, which opened in April 2025, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.
Phase 2 of the programme plans for the electrification of the Cork commuter rail network and the delivery of new stations along the network. Last summer Iarnród Éireann held a non-statutory public consultation in relation to Phase 2, with a second round of consultation planned for April 2026.
Phase 2 will be progressed following the completion of Phase 1. Funding provided in the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, which was published by my Department in November, will see Iarnród Éireann complete Phase 1 complete this year, and commence Phase 2 thereafter, starting with new stations at Blackpool and Dunkettle and initial electrification works and depot construction.
Iarnród Éireann expects to lodge planning applications to Cork City Council later this year for the delivery of Blackpool and Dunkettle stations.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days
BusConnects is the National Transport Authority's (NTA) program to greatly improve bus services in all our cities. It is a key part of the Government's policies to improve public transport and address climate change in five cities, including Cork.
There are 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors, grouped into three schemes. Together, these proposed schemes will include approximately 90km of bus lane and bus priority measures to improve bus system efficiency, and 95km if cycle facilities (one direction), contributing to a significant expansion of Cork’s cycling network.
Following public consultation, the new BusConnects Cork network was published in June 2022, and it aims to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city.
Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be implemented on a phased basis in the coming years. Implementation will be subject to funding and resources available.