AQW 1792/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/02/2020
Answered On Date: 25/02/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether her Department plans to cooperate with the relevant authorities in the Republic of Ireland on the future of the Enterprise rail service, including new rolling stock and electrification.

Answer:

The “New Decade: New Approach” sets out an ambitious agenda for North South connectivity. This includes joint considerations through the NSMC of the feasibility of a high-speed rail; connection between Belfast, Dublin and Cork. In addition “New Decade: New Approach” also sets out the potential for investment in a range of capital projects including the Better Connecting Dublin and Belfast study which focusses on the Enterprise.

Pursuing that agenda in cooperation with the Irish Government within the resources available will be my priority. I will continue through the NSMC to explore how we advance and build on the ambitions of “New Decade: New Approach”.