Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, Ireland's Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and the Minister of State with responsibility for the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, Seán Canney, have welcomed the publication of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy for the island.

Prepared with support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and issued jointly by the Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure, the Strategy explains how to sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which followed public consultation in July 2024.

The plan sets out near-term "Early Interventions" to strengthen network resilience and capacity, including new track passing loops and additional platforms. In Ireland, this programme will begin next year, with full delivery targeted by 2030.

Longer-term "Major Projects" will advance intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades. These include "FourNorth", adding track capacity on the Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line-speed improvements on the Dublin–Cork and Dublin–Belfast corridors; and new or reinstated lines including Portadown–Derry~Londonderry and Letterkenny.

-- Advertisement --

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, said: "I welcome the publication of this Strategy which provides a way forward for faster rail services, improved frequency, and greater accessibility and connectivity across this island. I look forward to the progression of the rail projects in the years ahead."

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, also said: "The implementation of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is a priority for me. In particular, I am delighted that this Strategy highlights rail enhancements for delivery over the next few years, involving a new station platform at Limerick Junction, additional platforms at Woodlawn and Clara on the Galway line and at Sligo and Enfield on the Sligo line, as well as new track passing loops on the Limerick to Waterford line, the Sligo line, the Westport/Ballina route and Dublin to Belfast line. These projects will help to enhance capacity, frequency and reliability quickly. I am also happy that the Strategy includes the construction of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, on which some preliminary clearing works have already commenced."

Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins added: "This is the next step in progressing the implementation of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. I believe the transformation of our rail network will help address regional imbalance and encourage a shift towards greater use of sustainable transport. This includes important projects including Portadown to Derry, Portadown to Armagh and Lisburn to Antrim. The publication of this Strategy provides a way forward for connecting communities who have been without rail, particularly in the northwest, alongside increasing frequency and improving services for those along existing lines. This will help strengthen economic and social ties across the island."

Funding for the Early Interventions on the Irish side will come via the National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Implementation Plan 2026–2030, published in November.

The Strategy sets out expected gains in service frequency, journey times and sustainability, and the Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure will continue to work together to progress and deliver the programme in the public interest.