Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
161. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport to account for the continuous deferrals in submitting the railway order for the Navan rail line project, which has now slipped yet again; the justification for forcing Meath commuters to face gruelling daily gridlock for another decade due to slow planning and permitting systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46322/26]
View answer200. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport to state the exact capital allocation and binding timeline guaranteed for the completion of the Navan rail line under the newly reviewed Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport 2026–2030; and if he will guarantee that further legal, judicial, or administrative bottlenecks will not push delivery past the current projected dates. [46323/26]
View answer227. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the reason the proposed Railway Order (planning application) for the Navan to Dublin rail line has been delayed from 2026 to late 2027 to 2028; and the reason Departments cannot achieve planning objectives on time. [39415/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 200 and 227 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the rail network, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the 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 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region from 2022 to 2042. The Strategy includes delivery of the Navan Rail line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals. I would like to note here that the NDP includes funding to advance the project to Railway Order stage by 2028. As such, there has been no delay in progressing the project compared to the timeline that is set out within the Department's current multi-annual sectoral investment plan.
The Emerging Preferred Route for the Navan Rail line was announced with the launch of the a Public Consultation on Wednesday 20 May. That public consultation process will ultimately result in a defined route for the line.
