160. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the local authorities in Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone can be assisted by his Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland to advance plans to connect Letterkenny to Derry and Tyrone by rail and to progress the potential of the All-Island Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45902/26]

Following the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.

In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published be my Department in November 2025.

The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The development of the Portadown to Derry to Letterkenny rail line is also included in the Rail Review and Prioritisation Strategy as a Major Project to be advanced.

Officials from the Department of Transport and Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland are currently working to establish new governance arrangements to support the delivery of cross-border rail projects. These governance arrangements will complement existing areas of engagement, including under the framework of the North South Ministerial Council.

It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.