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For Written Answer on : 08/10/2024
Question Number(s): 68 Question Reference(s): 39770/24
Department: Transport
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to electrify any of the rail systems in the State; how soon he expects such systems to be approved and in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
As the Deputy may be aware, the DART system is currently the only electrified part of the Irish rail network. The DART+ programme will modernise and improve existing rail services in the Greater Dublin Area, tripling the electrified network from circa 50km to 150km when complete.
The Preliminary Business Case for the DART+ programme was approved by Cabinet at Decision Gate 1 in December 2021, along with the purchase of additional DART fleet at Decision Gate 3. The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which are comprised of battery-electric units and electric units, are due to start arriving later this year and are expected to enter service in 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of DART fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which should see 90 new battery-electric carriages arrive in 2026.
The infrastructure components of DART+ are at various stages of the planning process. Planning approval for DART+ West was granted by An Bord Pleanála in July 2024, subject to certain conditions, notably that the proposed depot west of Maynooth not be constructed due to concerns about flood risk. Railway Orders for DART+ South-West and DART+ Coastal North were submitted to An Bord Pleanála in March 2023 and July 2024 respectively.
The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which will provide the largest investment in the Cork rail network in the history of the state, will be delivered on a phased basis. Phase 1 of the Programme, ‘Enable future electrification of Cork Commuter Rail’, was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1, which includes the construction of a new platform at Kent Station, a signalling and communications upgrade and double-tracking between Glounthaune to Midleton. Phase 1 works are scheduled to be completed by Quarter 3 2026 as required by the European Commission.
In May 2024, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to TYPSA and Roughan O’Donovan, appointing them as multi-disciplinary consultants for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme, which includes potential electrification of the network. Subject to securing funding and achieving the relevant approvals, Phase 2 of the Programme will progress after Phase 1 works have been completed.
As the Deputy may also be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. The Review’s Final Report was published on the 31st of July 2024.
The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions.
The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes. The Review notes that overhead line electrification is considered the leading option for decarbonising intercity routes, while alternatives, such as battery electric trains or hydrogen, could be considered on rural or regional lines.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the Review will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines in Ireland.
Assisted by the EIB Advisory Services, my Department and Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations for the years ahead. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade and the development of an All-Island Decarbonisation Strategy. Decisions on publication timing of this work have not yet been made. Progress in following-up on the Rail Review will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.
