Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
181. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken in response to the delays and cost overruns of Irish Rail’s traffic management system project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46164/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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, 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, 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.
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 TMS. In order 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.
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.
