McDonald pledges 'quick' deliveryof Navan rail line
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD addressed an online public meeting In Dunshaughlin last week and reaffirmed her party's commitment to deliver the Navan Rail line in the quickest possible timeframe.
Earlier this year, The Oireachtas Committee on Transport confirmed that a design team for the Navan Rail Line was expected to be appointed this summer with public consultations expected in the latter part of 2025 or early 2026.
Under the National Development Plan, work on the €750 million project is not expected to start until 2031 with completion estimated to be 2036.
In March, Dermot O'Gara, Head of Public Affairs, National Transport Authority said that in line with the National Development Plan, and as noted within the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, the Navan rail line is phased for delivery post 2030.
He said Irish Rail had commenced the procurement process and was progressing the finalisation of the tender documents to be issued in the second quarter of this year.
Speaking at the meeting, which was held by Meath East TD Darren O'Rourke and Local Election candidate Fionnan Blake, Deputy McDonald said:
"Sinn Féin is committed to delivering the Navan Rail line. This project has the potential to transform the transport and social and economic landscape in county Meath. It will be a tremendous benefit in Dunshaughlin and surrounding areas.
"I welcome the fact that this project is now included in the relevant transport plans and that the project is funded to ‘design and planning’ stage. I understand consultants will be appointed shortly.
"However, we know the funding is not committed to build this project. That’s the difference Sinn Féin will make. We have committed, in Government, to fund this essential project to completion. It has to happen and under Sinn Féin it will happen."
Speaking afterwards, Fionnan Blake said;
"Navan Rail will have a transformative impact on Dunshaughlin and on the whole county. It is very welcome that Mary Lou McDonald has re-emphasised her and Sinn Féin's commitment to this project. The same is certainly the case for me and the whole Sinn Féin team in Meath. We are 100% behind this project.
"There has been welcome progress on the project. That didn't happen by chance and, unfortunately, it doesn't go far enough. The National Development Plan is under-funded out to 2030. Until that changes Navan Rail will be unnecessarily delayed. It won't be allowed to proceed to construction without funding. That needs to change. It is very welcome that Mary Lou McDonald has committed to funding Navan Rail to completion, should Sinn Féin be in Government.
"In the meantime, we will continue in our campaigning efforts, through our 'Meath on the Move' public transport campaign and through every other available means."