Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
147. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status and timeline for delivery of the National Train Control Centre and associated rail traffic management system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46182/26]
View answerUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the National Train Control Centre, or NTCC.
Pending this more detailed reply, I note that a three-month software testing period is now ongoing. Decisions on software acceptance and future commissioning phases will be taken in mid-July and it would be premature to discuss schedule and cost implications for the project in advance of this.
The National Train Control Centre building was completed in November 2022, close to its initial target date and budget. Bringing the centre into full operation has been delayed by slower than projected progress in developing and rolling out the new traffic management system, which is the software that integrates a range of complex railway systems, such as signalling and communications.
Following an initial meeting with the National Transport Authority, and the contractor Indra last August, where I expressed my dissatisfaction at the rate of progress, I met with Indra again in January and reiterated the importance of successful delivery of the TMS as soon as possible.
A re-baselined programme was agreed between Iarnród Éireann, the NTA and Indra in November 2024, breaking the project into eight discrete commissioning phases to improve deliverability and realise benefits incrementally. The contractor delivered software to Iarnród Éireann in mid-April to support the planned implementation of Commissioning Phase 1 on the Rosslare line in early 2027.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
