Rail Network
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-12
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Jerry Buttimer (FG), Cork South-Central

I thank the Senator for her advocacy. I can hear the frustration in her remarks about the mythical Navan rail line. I know many of her predecessors have been raising the matter in this House as well. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I am pleased to say that I have definitive answers to give the Senator about this matter.
The national transport strategy for the greater Dublin area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region for 20 years from 2020 to 2042. The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan has been examined as part of the development strategy and that examination supports the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan. The strategy includes delivery of the Navan rail line between 2031 and 2036 subject to planning and funding approvals. Delivery of this project is currently proceeding on target and to this timeline. The NDP sectoral investment plan published by the Department of Transport last November has allocated funding to advance the Navan rail line to submission of a planning application or a railway order.
In 2024, the National Transport Authority allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line. This work involves the route option selection, planning and design phase of the project. Iarnród Éireann has commenced the procurement process for the pre-construction phase of the project and issued a tender to pre-qualified consultants at the end of May 2024. In November 2024, multidisciplinary consultants RPS were appointed for the duration of the project to work with the rail company's in-house project team. This work has now reached the next milestone.
I am pleased to confirm to the Senator and the House that the emerging preferred route for the Navan rail line will be announced with the launch of the first non-statutory public consultation next week, on Wednesday 20 May. This announcement will be welcome news not only for Navan but for commuters further afield who currently have no choice but to use the M3 motorway, whether by car or by coach. I hope this will end the mythical comment about the rail line. The public consultation process will ultimately result in a defined role for the line and it will support the development of a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved in line with requirements of the infrastructure guidelines before any planning application is made. Subject to approval of the primary business case, it is anticipated that a railway order will be lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2028.
On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I hope this response helps clarify the matter. I thank the Senator for her advocacy and for raising the matter and I hope that we will see the work commence in the lifetime of this Seanad and Government and that there will be tracks on the line.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-12/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:55+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-12