To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for her assessment of the impact that approval of Planning Application Reference LA/2014/0592/F may have upon any restoration of rail services from Derry-Londonderry to Strabane.

Planning application A/2014/0592/F has been through the full rigours of local decision-making including a decision to refuse by Derry City and Strabane District Council and a subsequent appeal before the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), an independent appellant body and whose decision is final. The opportunity to bring all material planning matters before the PAC was open to all parties including the Council and the local community. The Department, as regional planning authority, had no prior knowledge of or role in this local planning process, however I understand that the matter of future rail connections was not raised by any party to the appeal.

In respect of the impact of this decision on any future restoration of rail services between Derry and Strabane, it is likely that the new development may present an obstruction if a rail line was to follow that route. However, I can confirm that the All Island Strategic Rail Review which I announced last month, along with Transport Minister Eamon Ryan TD, will examine the potential for rail connections across the island including the North-West. This will include how our existing connections could be improved and where new rail links would be best placed. The Review will consider the high level viability of any new connections. The service provider will have to consider the viability of any proposed rail track which will include a consideration of any current structures or planning approvals in place and will give consideration as to other routes that the proposed line may take.