Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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108. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to commission a feasibility study that would access the prospect of delivering rail infrastructure through County Monaghan. [44066/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While I have no plans to commission a specific feasibility study in relation to rail in Monaghan, I have announced an all-island Strategic Rail Review and am delighted to confirm that the Review has commenced in recent weeks and that both Minister Nichola Mallon MLA and I jointly met the consultants last week. 

This Review will strategically review the rail network on the island of Ireland in relation to improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhancing regional accessibility and balanced regional development and also consider rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight.

Of interest to the Deputy is that the Review will also consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network and that scope will include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines. As part of the Review there will be a public consultation process which I would encourage all to engage in.