Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
122. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if delays with the Irish Rail’s traffic management system project are expected to impact the delivery of wider rail investment programmes, including the DART+ Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46165/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Train Control Centre building was completed in November 2022, on time and within budget despite the significant disruption to the construction sector brought about by the COVID pandemic. While the building today houses some signalling operations and Iarnród Éireann staff, as well as approximately 100 personnel of An Garda Síochána overseeing communications in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, 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.
Taxpayers and train users are rightly concerned by this delay. In my capacity as Minister, I have met with Indra, the contractor delivering the traffic management system, last August and again in January of this year. On both occasions, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the rate of progress and emphasised the importance of bringing the project to a successful conclusion as quickly 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.
A three-month software testing period is now ongoing. Decisions on software acceptance and future commissioning phases will be taken in mid-July. Given issues in terms of project delivery, I understand that the board of Iarnród Éireann is also be considering potential options for the future delivery of the project, and I await its recommendation. In advance of the conclusion of software testing and consideration by the Iarnród Éireann board, it would be premature to discuss schedule and cost implications for the project.
I note that the asset value of the NTCC is also a consideration within the CIÉ Group accounts for 2025. These accounts were received by my Department on 18 May and are currently under review by my officials and by our financial advisers in NewERA and I expect to receive them shortly. My intention is to bring the accounts to Government and have them laid before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
Finally, it is important to note that, from a railway safety perspective, contingency plans are in place to mitigate the impact of delays on the Traffic Management System. To safeguard the signalling resilience of the rail network, I approved an additional allocation of €5.7 million in May to enable Iarnród Éireann to commence additional signalling works to increase operational resilience within the Greater Dublin Area, the busiest part of the rail network.
These resilience works will enable the planed entry into service of DART+ West, the first element of the DART+ Programme to proceed as planned.
