The Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, spoke last week at Shannon Airport and said he would like to see a rail link built to the airport in the future. However, he failed to give any certainty about the project. When asked about the timelines for the project, he was vague and unconvincing. Given the Minister's interest, it was notable that the project was absent from the national development plan review. This project is essential and would greatly boost the future of Shannon Airport, County Clare and the entire region. I welcome the Minister's interest in it but vague aspirations and intentions are no substitute for plans and implementation. We need certainty to provide confidence in the project.

What are the Minster's plans to commence the process for the construction of the rail link? What steps has he already taken? What plans will he bring forward in the time ahead? Can we be assured it will commence within the lifetime of this Government?

I thank the Deputy. I will have to ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to refer specifically to her query. In budget 2026 and the national development plan, we have secured €24 billion for transport capital investment over the next five years, which will make a significant difference in improving public transport, the development of roads and the wider active travel programme right across communities in our country. Part of that is the strengthening the provision of rail in many communities across our country. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is working on the sectoral investment plan, which he has published for the next five years, but he is also building a trajectory and pipeline of capital investment over a series of years. He has referenced the strategic link to Shannon Airport and he will be able to set out a more accurate timeline for that.