Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
222. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on Government proposals to develop a double track on the railway line between Galway and Portarlington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51695/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, with the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, the Department of Transport, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. These interventions include second platforms at Clara in Co. Offaly and Woodlawn in Co. Galway. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published by my Department in November 2025.
The Strategy also identifies Major Projects to be progressed for the longer-run, involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades on the rail network, including on the Dublin to Galway route. This includes the reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry. The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan involves funding to commence this reinstatement project.
Included within the recommendations is the double tracking of the Galway line from Portarlington to Athlone, to be progressed in the longer term.
