AQW 6083/22-27

Mr Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 09/02/2024
Answered On Date: 22/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on his Department's engagement with the Irish government in relation to the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.

Answer:

My officials have been engaging closely with their colleagues in the Department of Transport to progress the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) since the Review was announced in 2021.

The draft AISRR report was released for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment from 25 July to 29 September 2023 and recent engagement has focussed on analysing the responses to the consultation and working to finalise the draft Report.

This engagement will continue at Ministerial and official level over the coming months as both Departments work to address the issues raised through the consultation and present the final report for agreement by the governments in both jurisdictions.

Once the Review is published, joint efforts will turn to prioritising the recommendations within the Review, developing an implementation plan, and looking to explore avenues of funding to progress the interventions. This close engagement between the two departments has been an excellent example of joint working on cross-border priorities and will be key to the successful delivery of the AISRR and realising the many benefits it can deliver for our communities, our people, and our economies right across the island.