The Navan rail line project is set to take a significant step forward this summer with the announcement of the design team. Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade has stated “the Navan rail line is in plan” and that “we (Iarnród Éireann) will be bringing it for approval right out to delivery in 2029 or 2030 with the line open”.
“The Navan rail line is a new 40km line from the M3 parkway north to Navan”. By linking Navan with Dublin, the rail line promises to unlock new opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Jim Meade believes “the Navan line is one of those (projects) that will deliver. It will be heavily used and it will justify its investment”.
“Meath people commute further than people from any other county” Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín emphasised. He pointed out that “Navan is the biggest town in the country without a rail line” and “the level of stress and financial cost is massive” for people living in Meath.
Transport minister and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan, was questioned over funding fears linked to the re-opening of the Meath railway line. Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke highlighted that “The Minister is on record saying the national development plan transport projects in the period between now and 2030 are underfunded to the tune of €30 billion. The Navan rail project is not in for delivery in that timeframe”.
Minister Ryan said the project cannot construct without planning permission and that a railway order is needed, “legally, we have to get that first”. The minister said’ that the project could be delivered by 2031, 2032 or 2033“if we got all the funding”.
Deputy Tóibín underlined that “other projects such as the western rail corridor” should also be pursued. Giving credit to “Luke Silke and Paul Lawless, who have been fighting for the rail corridor in the west”.
Delays to the Navan Rail project have emerged and Deputy O’Rourke said the issue is funding. He was disappointed to hear that the “design team will not now be appointed until Summer 2024, having previously read that they would be appointed early in 2024”.
Director of Capital Investments at Iarnród Éireann Paul Hendrick said he is “very passionate” about the project. “I have been involved in rail projects all my career over the past 20 years so I would love to see this delivered all the way”, he outlines that the “development process will take us through from the summer out to the end of 2025”.
Under the National Development Plan, the €750 million project is not expected to begin until 2031. Jim Meade summarised that “What the Government decides to fund is the Government’s call”. He explains that “we cannot just keep shovelling money over the fence at everything… it is a matter of getting the balance right and identifying the projects that will deliver”.
