2025-12-11

10. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the new infrastructure plan will accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure in the mid-east region and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70504/25]

I welcome the new accelerated infrastructure legislation and ask that the Minister ensure it is applied to one of the most critical transport projects in Meath and wider mid-east region, namely, the Navan rail line. Navan is one of the largest towns in the country and is without a rail connection. Every day, thousands of Meath commuters face long unreliable journeys because their transport network has not kept pace with our population and economic growth. The route selection work is under way and public consultation will follow next year, but without targeted acceleration-----

I thank the Deputy. I call the Minister.

Last week, the Government published the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. It is a comprehensive programme of actions designed to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. This action plan responds to well-documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It is built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received during the public consultation and stakeholder engagement undertaken by my Department over the summer, and expert input and advice from the members of the accelerating infrastructure task force. The plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform. The actions address the 12 barriers to the timely delivery of infrastructure that were highlighted in the report published by my Department in July. A four-week online and in-person public consultation last summer supported the preparation of that report published in July by providing an opportunity for stakeholders and the general public from across the country to feed into this work. I hosted events during this consultation period, including a regional event in Athlone. The actions selected represent a transformative approach to streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines, ensuring a more efficient and timely delivery of critical infrastructure nationwide. Together, these actions will ensure that the record investment under the national development plan translates into faster, more efficient delivery of housing, energy and transport infrastructure, supporting Ireland’s economic growth, climate commitments and Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This will benefit every county and region of Ireland, as infrastructure projects play an essential role in supporting Ireland’s balanced economic growth and meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding population. There are considerable infrastructure projects under way in the mid-east region that will benefit from improvements in delivery, including for example the Louth 220 kV station refurbishment project and the proposed Slane and Ardee bypasses.

Realistically, under the current legislation and timelines, the Navan rail line will be delivered in 2036. Can we do better with than that this legislation? The purpose is to remove obstacles, streamline approvals, cut duplicated processes and ensure that key national projects like the Navan rail line move efficiently to delivery. In my very biased opinion, there is no project more deserving than the Navan rail line. Fast-tracking the rail line will ease the pressure on our roads, support housing and jobs, and give families in Meath the reliable and sustainable transport we have waited decades for. I am asking the Minister to apply the full force of this new acceleration framework to the Navan rail line and finally get this project moving at the pace our community deserves.

I appreciate the Deputy's advocacy for the Navan rail line. We have been there and have had extensive engagement with the Deputy's constituency on it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has published the transport sectoral plan, which sets out the funding allocations for the next five years. He is keen to advance a lot of the ambition we have in the regions on rail infrastructure in particular. We have an allocation of €24 billion in the next five years for capital investment in transport infrastructure and there has been a massive uplift over the last five years. That gives significant scope to drive delivery of improved public transport, develop our road network, enhance active travel and deliver many of the projects that have been on lists for multiple years. The Minister can respond on the direct timelines, but Irish Rail are also working on this.