Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
50. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken by his Department to meet the requirements outlined by the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) by 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4728/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for their question. Regulation EU 2024/1679, known as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation, sets out the components of the TEN-T network and the requirements for infrastructure included on the network, including for roads, rail lines, ports, airports, urban nodes, and freight terminals. The TEN-T core network is to be completed by 2030, the extended core network by 2040, and the comprehensive network by 2050.
My Department has policy responsibility for leading our approach to the delivery of the TEN-T network in Ireland, working with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach to implementation. The importance of its implementation is established under the National Planning Framework – First Revision (April 2025), which sets out the high-level strategic plan for shaping future growth and development in Ireland out to the year 2040. In this regard, a number of projects relevant to the delivery of the TEN-T Network in Ireland were included in the recently published National Development Plan – Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, including Rail upgrades and TEN-T Roads projects in Donegal and Cork.
Nine European Transport Corridors and two horizontal priorities structure and support the completion of the TEN-T network across Europe. The corridors and the two horizontal priorities are each managed by a European Coordinator. Ireland is included on two of the network’s ‘European Transport Corridors’ – the Atlantic Corridor and the North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean Corridor – which link Ireland to the passenger and freight transport networks on continental Europe.
The horizontal priority of the European Maritime Space is also relevant to TEN-T delivery in Ireland, which, among other things, seeks to expand and improve maritime port infrastructure and hinterland connections throughout the EU, and integrate renewable energy sources such as offshore wind into maritime infrastructure. Ireland has received significant EU funding in this space in recent years, including for the construction of two inter-dependent berths at Dublin Port, and for phases 1 and 2 of the Port of Cork Ringaskiddy Redevelopment project.
Each Corridor Coordinator is responsible for developing an annual work plan which analyses the corridor or horizontal priority and serves to monitor progress and set priorities for its future development. The Department of Transport actively contributes to the development of these work plans for our corridors each year, working with our agencies and stakeholders to work towards the inclusion of projects relevant to the delivery of the TEN-T network in Ireland. My officials also attend Corridor Forum meetings, hosted by the relevant Corridor Coordinators, to discuss the development of work plans and other horizontal issues related to TEN-T implementation along our corridors.
I have also prioritised engagement with the Corridor Coordinators relevant to Ireland, to ensure our implementation needs under the TEN-T network are understood, and highlight the important, catalytic role of EU funding for TEN-T-related projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). In 2025, I was pleased to welcome Prof. Pawel Wojciechowski (North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean Coordinator) and Ms. Gesine Meissner (European Maritime Space Coordinator) to discuss Ireland’s implementation of TEN-T and key projects for inclusion in their corridor work plans. In 2026, I look forward to welcoming Mr. François Bausch, to discuss similar issues as they relate to the Atlantic Corridor.
My Department will continue to work closely with our agencies across each of the relevant modes of the TEN-T regulation, and at EU level, to take full advantage of available funding opportunities and ensure timely implementation of the TEN-T regulation in Ireland in line with the 2030, 2040, and 2050 implementation targets.
