Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Ireland’s Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, have all welcomed the publication today of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy for the island.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy is being published today by the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure. The Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was launched following public consultation in July 2024.
The Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years. These include a series of new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. Work on these projects in Ireland will start next year, for full delivery by 2030.
The Strategy also identifies Major Projects to be progressed for the longer-run, involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades on the rail network. These Major Projects include “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes; and new/reinstated lines such as Portadown to Derry~Londonderry and Letterkenny.
Minister O’Brien said: “I welcome the publication of this Strategy which provides a way forward for faster rail services, improved frequency, and greater accessibility and connectivity across this island. I look forward to the progression of the rail projects in the years ahead.” 
Minister Canney said: “I am delighted that this Strategy highlights rail enhancements for delivery over the next few years, involving a new station platform at Limerick Junction and additional platforms on the Galway and Sligo routes, as well as new track passing loops on the Limerick to Waterford line, the Sligo line, the Westport/Ballina route and Dublin to Belfast line. I am also happy that the Strategy calls out the re-instatement of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, boosting connectivity for the people of Galway and Mayo.” 
Minister Kimmins said: “This Strategy is the next step in progressing the implementation of the Rail Review. It aims to sequence projects in order to develop a sustainable pipeline of investment. I believe the transformation of our rail network will help address regional imbalance and encourage a shift towards greater use of sustainable transport. This includes important projects for the north, including Portadown to Derry, Portadown to Armagh and Lisburn to Antrim.”  
Irish Government funding for the Early Interventions is provided under the National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2030, published in November.
Overall, the Strategy outlines the rail frequency, journey time and sustainability benefits that will be delivered by the various projects included within it. The Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure will continue to work together as appropriate to advance these projects and support their delivery, in the public interest.

I very much welcome the update from the Office of Public Works regarding the continued collaboration with Fingal County Council to address coastal erosion in the Portrane and Burrow Peninsula areas, which I have been working on for the last number of years. The commitment of €1.65 million for interim works, studies, and emergency measures demonstrates meaningful progress in protecting our coastline and supporting affected communities in our area. 

The forthcoming submission of a coastal protection scheme for the Burrow Peninsula to An Coimisiún Pleanála is an especially positive step, and it is encouraging to see sustained engagement between national and local authorities on this urgent issue.

I also welcome the work of the interdepartmental steering group on coastal change in advancing the recommendations of the National Coastal Change Management Strategy, approved by Government in October 2023. Ensuring that Special Areas of Conservation are appropriately managed under the National Parks and Wildlife Service is essential to balancing environmental protection with the needs of coastal communities.

This a constructive, coordinated approach to tackling coastal erosion, thanks for all the local community involvement and engagement. I look forward to further progress in the weeks and months ahead and I will keep you informed.