*+Don Cunningham, Director of Infrastructure, Iarnród Éireann
Chairman, Members of the Committee,
Iarnród Éireann is responsible for an operational rail network of 1,674 line kilometres, covering passenger and freight services. In addition, Iarnród Éireann is responsible for
non-operational lines totalling 362 line kilometres.
As Director of Infrastructure at Iarnród Éireann I am responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the route
infrastructure (track, bridges, cuttings, embankments and crossings) and the signalling. I am also responsible for facilitating the movement of traffic on the live network as well
as the care and maintenance of closed lines. I am joined here today by my colleague, Niall Grogan, Manager of CIÉ Group Property. Niall is responsible for the property assets
of CIÉ.
Rail Transport is an extremely efficient way of moving large numbers of people. Last year 37.6million passenger journeys took place on our network. Strategic infrastructure
planning is very important to us at Iarnród Éireann and this is something that we work closely with our stakeholders. Our key stakeholders are our customers, suppliers and
our funding providers, including the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority. As a company we actively engage with many other stakeholders including
local and regional authorities and interest groups including West on Track to promote passenger rail travel and rail freight.
Rail Travel is the most sustainable means of motorised transport. Iarnród Éireann’s rail service gives the public a positive choice for low carbon travel. Our rolling stock is
amongst the newest in Europe, bringing modern fuel efficient engines, which facilitate flexible operations. This investment in our in our trains has meant improved train travel
for all our customers. We have also dramatically increased our fuel efficiency through reducing our fuel consumption per passenger km by 18% and reducing our consumption
per train km by 31%.
At Iarnród Éireann we manage and maintain our own infrastructure – a cost not borne by other transport providers in Ireland whose infrastructure is also subsidised. Our
management of infrastructure is funded under EU regulation by a Multi-Annual Contract from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and track and station access
charges from passenger and freight rail services. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have acknowledged that we are
underfunded for our existing network and it is intended that a review of rail policy will be instigated by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport which will address future
decisions on the scale of our network and future investment which can generate an economic return for the country.
In the context of this underfunding, the focus of Iarnród Éireann is to concentrate our limited available resources in maintaining our existing operational network.
The care and maintenance of non-operational lines by Iarnród Éireann include vegetation control, maintenance of bridges, boundaries, fencing, culverts and cuttings and
embankments. Due to funding constraints the terms of our Multi Annual Contract from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport does not include any funding for the
maintenance of non-operational lines.
Iarnród Éireann and CIÉ are open to approaches from properly constituted organisations, preferably with third party funding backing who have a desire to develop these lines
for an alternative use in the understanding that these lines would be available to revert to operational rail lines in the future if the case can be made for this on socio-economic
and / or regional development grounds. This has been done to much success on a number of lines where there is no short term prospect of a line being reopened for rail
services, please see accompanying table.
Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor was provided for as part of the Transport 21 investment programme which ran from 2005 to 2011. The 58 kms of track between Ennis &
Athenry reopened on 30th March, 2010. The reopening of this section once again linked the cities of Galway and Limerick by rail. Since opening the numbers using the service
have been low, however, due to a number of initiatives passenger numbers grew from 29,000 in 2013 to 50,000 in 2014. It should also be noted that a major justification of the
reopening of the line was the promotion of sustainable regional development and in this context it is right that a long term view of the role of the railway is adopted.
Phase 2. Athenry to Tuam (25 kms) and Phase 3 Tuam to Claremorris (27 kms) were also provided for within Transport 21. The final phase Claremorris to Collooney (74 kms)
had a longer term implementation timeframe. However, due to the economic downturn Phases 2 and 3 have not proceeded and they do not currently form part of the
government’s public transport capital investment programme. We have worked closely with West on Track to promote rail travel on the section from Ennis to Athenry.
Passenger numbers have increased by 75% in 2014 following on from a number of marketing initiatives. We also engage with them regularly on the possibility of reopening
further phases of the Western Rail Corridor. Ultimately however a decision to reinstate any further phases of the corridor will require Department of Transport, Tourism and
Sport and National Transport Authority approval given the requirement for exchequer capital and revenue support funding.
West on Track have spoken regularly about the possibility of increased rail freight traffic if further phases of the corridor were to open. Iarnród Éireann would welcome any
freight development opportunities and would give serious consideration to any reasonable proposal.
Iarnród Éireann is very keen to promote the greater use of rail and the expansion of the network, subject to funding, for a number of sustainable development reasons apart
from the regional development objective referred to earlier. Iarnród Éireann is currently carrying out site clearance as part of a feasibility study for the Shannon Foynes Port
Company on the possibility of reopening the line between Foynes and Limerick for private freight use. We welcome public or private interest in investment in the rail network.
Other key objectives set out in the Government’s Smarter Travel include:
To maximise the efficiency of the wider transport network,

To reduce reliance on fossil fuels,

To reduce transport emissions, and

To improve accessibility to transport.
In addition to contributing to these wider objectives Iarnród Éireann acknowledges that that the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor or its alternative use as an interim
measure as a green route would make a very valuable contribution to west of Ireland tourism.
The reinstatement of the western rail corridor would also enhance network flexibility should disruptions occur elsewhere. For example a disruption between Athlone and
Claremorris on the Mayo line could be bypassed by diverting trains south to Athenry for connection on to the Galway line.
Line
Current Status of Disused lines
Status, closed/abandoned
Athenry/Claremorris (Western Rail Corridor)
Collooney Line, Closed (Western Rail Corridor)
Closed Line. Licenced to Mayo County Council for
development of ‘Velorial’ on the existing track
North and South of Kiltimagh, 16km.
Discussions ongoing with Mayo County Council
and other parties re the feasibility of a ‘Rail
Cruising’ between Swinford and Charlestown ,
11km.
Foynes Branch, Closed
Closed to rail traffic. Port of Foynes considering
reopening for rail freight- 43km.
Waterford/Dungarvan Line
Abandoned Line. Waterford County Council and
Waterford and Suir Valley Railway Company hold
on two separate 20 year licences from August
2006 and April 2008 respectively, 41km.
North Kerry Railway Line (Within Co Limerick)
Abandoned Line. The Great Southern Trail
(voluntary group) hold under a 10 year licence
from the 1st June 2011, having developed
walkway/cycleway. (Rathkeale to AbbeyfealeLimerick/Kerry border-36km)
North Kerry Railway Line, (within Co. Kerry)
Abandoned Line. In process of transferring
ownership to Kerry County Council so as they
can develop it as Greenway. (Limerick/Kerry
border to Tralee.-45km)
Fenit Branch
Abandoned Line. Kerry County Council have four
year licence from the 26th March 2012.
Ownership of the line is in the process of being
transferred to Kerry Co. Co. for Greenway (Tralee
to Fenit.-13km)
Mullingar/Athlone Line, Closed.
Closed Line. Westmeath Co. Co. developing a
Greenway under Licence- 44km.
Waterford/Rosslare Line
Closed Line, under maintenance to kept in
condition for rail services,.60km
Waterford/New Ross Branch Line
Closed Line. Kilkenny County Council preparing
planning application for Greenway, 22km.
Waterford/New Ross Branch Line( New Ross
Town)
Closed Line. Redbridge Walking Trail, Wexford
Co Co preparing planning application for local
town trail north of the former New Ross station.
Midleton/Youghal Line
Closed Line. Cork County Council carrying out
surveys under licence in preparation for
Greenway planning application , 23km.
Navan/Kingscourt
Closed Line. Meath and Cavan County Councils.
Have Planning permission for Greenway, 31kms.