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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Proposed Drogheda northside station

Summary

Deputy Byrne seeks progress on the long-promised northside railway station as Drogheda’s population grows and infrastructure lags behind. The Tánaiste asks the Transport Minister to examine the proposal and respond directly.

Drogheda is the largest town in the country, with an expectation of becoming Ireland’s next city. The design of Government policy has meant it has become a commuter town, with little to no investment in infrastructure to serve it. Almost 20 years ago, a train station for Drogheda's northside was included in the Drogheda northern environs plan. To this day, it remains an objective of the Louth county development plan.

Notwithstanding the already high population figures we have, we are due to see a population boom in the coming years of approximately 20,000 people with the housing along the port access northern cross route. Combined with an IDA business park and new sporting and amenity facilities planned for the area, the train station on the north side of the town is needed more than ever. Will this Government pull the relevant stakeholders, including the NTA, Irish Rail and Louth County Council, together and make this long-standing ambition a reality? No obstacle is insurmountable if the Government wants to deliver it.

Comment on this
Simon Harris The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I have had the honour of meeting a number of people in Drogheda in terms of the Drogheda city campaign but also regarding this idea of making sure the town is adequately resourced and supported from a local authority point of view, the whole tug between the two counties and the likes of that.

Comment on this
Simon Harris The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I am aware of all that too. On the specifics relating to the train station, I ask the Deputy to allow me to ask the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, to take a look at this issue and to come back to the Deputy directly and see what can be done.

Comment on this