147. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy that is currently under construction; if the plan is ahead of schedule considering the volume of commuters wishing to utilise public transport; if his Department is considering the inclusion of the Midleton-Youghal rail line on future railway plans or another mode of transport on the same corridor to coincide with the Greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31433/26]

Integrated land use planning and transport planning is led through Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies (MATS) which set out programmes of proposed transport investment in active travel, bus and rail for each city over a 20-year period.

These transport strategies are consistent with the spatial planning objectives in the National Planning Framework and the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and align with the EU legal requirement for Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) for Urban Nodes. In other words in Ireland MATS are SUMPs. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for developing and implementing the MATS to provide high quality, accessible, sustainable transport across Ireland.

The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy was published in 2020. It was prepared by the NTA in collaboration with Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The NTA intends to commence a full review and update of the CMATS later in 2026. It is envisaged that the NTA will engage external specialist support, including engineering and strategic planning expertise, to assist in preparing the updated strategy.

A comprehensive stakeholder engagement programme will form a central part of the review. This will include consultation with key local and national stakeholders, local authorities, transport operators, and the wider public which will include a public consultation process.

In the meantime there has been significant progress under the 2020 Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.

BusConnects Cork

BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities, including Cork. BusConnects is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, which was published in November last year, has allocated funding to the NTA to progress BusConnects in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The NTA will publish a more detailed plan later this year of what elements of the programme will be advanced within the funding available.

Cabinet approval for the BusConnects Cork Preliminary Business Case was secured in October 2025 and the Government issued Approval Gate 1 in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. The NTA is currently preparing the required documentation and expect to submit planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year. This planning application will provide for a total of 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors. An amendment to section 44 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (the DTA Act) is currently being progressed to facilitate same.

Cork Area Commuter Rail

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is a key project in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The Programme is being delivered on a phased basis and will provide a transformative investment that will enhance the heavy rail network across the region, connecting Mallow, Cork, Cobh and Midleton with increased train capacity.

Phase 1 of the Programme consists of a signalling upgrade, construction of a through-platform at Kent Station, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. This phase has received EU funding of €164m through the Recovery and Resilience Facility and is expected to be substantially complete this year ahead of full commissioning in 2027. The through-platform at Kent Station is already operational, opening in April 2025.

Phase 2 will deliver a new depot to support an electrified and expanded fleet for the Cork network, together with up to eight new stations. Feedback from the first round of Public Consultation, which concluded in July, is currently being analysed and incorporated into the preliminary design ahead of a second round of public consultation planned for April 2026. The Preliminary Business Case for the Programme as a whole, is currently planned to be submitted by the NTA to the Department in early Q3 2026. As the estimated value of this project exceeds €500m in value, it will require Government consent at Approval Gate 1, as per the recent update to the Infrastructure Guidelines. Subject to approval, Iarnród Éireann plans to submit a Railway Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála in late 2026/early 2027.

Funding provided in the National Development Plan Sectoral Investment Plan, published by the Department of Transport in November, will see Iarnród Éireann complete Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme and commence Phase 2, starting with new train stations at Blackpool and Dunkettle and initial electrification works and depot construction.

Blackpool and Dunkettle stations are being advanced independent of the Railway Order application, with planning applications for these two stations expected to be lodged by Iarnród Éireann in the coming weeks.

Cork Luas

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in partnership with the NTA, launched a non-statutory public consultation between April and June 2025 on the Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork. Approximately 1,000 responses were received as part of the public consultation. The issues highlighted in the submissions received have been included in the post consultation report published by TII in October 2025 and amendments are anticipated to made to the proposed scheme as a result.

Following the development of those revised design, TII published the Preferred Route on 17th April, and commenced a second round of non-statutory public consultation. The Luas Cork Preferred Route reflects feedback received and engagement with key stakeholders and offers improved accessibility. It will reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, unlock housing and help to create a liveable, sustainable city.

TII will host a series of public events around Cork City in May to provide information on and discuss the new Preferred Route with residents and businesses.

The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport sets out the objective of lodging a Railway Order application in respect of Luas Cork, with the project expected to progress to the preparation of this application to An Coimisiún Pleanála in parallel with the development of the Preliminary Business Case, in accordance with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines.

Northern Distributor Road

The Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route, which is planned to link the N22 (Carrigrohane Road) to Glanmire, was established in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. It is intended that the Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route will include both car traffic and bus lanes, as well as cycling and pedestrian facilities.

Cork City Council launched a public consultation on the emerging preferred route for this project in 2025. Cork City Council received 1,600 submissions and hosted four public consultations. That process is now completed, and the Public Consultation Report is being finalised.

Currently, it is anticipated that the preliminary design will be completed and the proposals be ready to submit to An Coimisiún Pleanála in early 2028. Subject to necessary approvals, tenders could be sought for the work as early as 2031.

Middleton-Youghal Rail Line

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024, sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions.

A proposal to develop a line between Midleton and Waterford along the South Coast was examined as part of the Review, but ultimately this route was not included in the recommendations in the final report. Analysis undertaken as part of the Review indicated that it would likely be more cost-effective to route longer distance services between Cork and Waterford via improved railways between both cities and Limerick Junction, rather than on a new line.

One of the Review's recommendations is that the Review be updated once a decade, taking account of latest policies and developments. The potential for the Midleton and Waterford line could be reassessed at this point.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.