To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the consideration she has given to the recommendation from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review Report to build a new direct line between Lisburn and Newry, which would provide rail services in Banbridge.

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review recommended that consideration be given to developing a new railway line from Belfast to Newry via Hillsborough, Dromore, and Banbridge, with connections to the Lisburn-Antrim line and towards Portadown.

This has been identified as a long-term intervention by the Review i.e. to be delivered between 2040 and 2050, however, more work is needed to test the feasibility and affordability of the Review’s recommendations, determine an optimum sequencing for the delivery of projects, and secure the necessary funding to take projects forward.

The Department is continuing to work with colleagues in the Department of Transport, Translink, Iarnród Éireannand NTA to consider the recommendations in the Review and develop a plan for implementation. I will then need to consider which projects to prioritise as funding opportunities become available.