'Critical' €1.8bn Cork area commuter railway project on track under new powers 

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme has been designated critical infrastructure under measures a Cork minister of state insists will not undermine the public’s right to object.

On Friday, the Cork project, a further two transport programmes in Dublin and Galway, three water, and three energy projects became the first tranche to be designated under the new powers to accelerate infrastructure delivery.

The Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 will allow the Government to designate certain infrastructure projects developed by or on behalf of the State as being of critical national importance.

Designation mandates all public bodies to accelerate any decision-making processes.

The emergency legislation is expected to be drafted in the autumn.

Any project seeking to bypass elements of the planning process would have to satisfy a legal test demonstrating it meets the required threshold.

The proposed legislation would be separate from the existing Critical Infrastructure Bill, under which designated projects are given priority in the planning system rather than exempted from it.

The approximately €1.8bn Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme aims to deliver a modern, electrified commuter rail network with trains operating every 10 minutes on the Mallow, Cobh, and Midleton lines.

Full electrification

It includes the delivery of eight new stations at Blackpool, Dunkettle, Blarney, Monard, Tivoli, Water-Rock, Carrigtwohill West, and Ballynoe, together with a new maintenance depot, full electrification of the Cork rail network, upgraded stations and improved integration with buses, cycling and future public transport projects.

Phase one is already progressing through the addition of the new through platform at Kent Station and double-tracking between Glounthaune and Midleton, while Government funding is in place to commence the next phase of the programme.

Minister of state at the Department of Transport, Cork TD Jerry Buttimer, said the project will allow for faster travel around Cork, connect growing communities, and reduce road traffic congestion.

He said that across Europe, new stations have become focal points for regeneration, attracting housing, commercial investment, and employment.

Mr Buttimer stressed that the designation: “Does not bypass planning law”.

“It does not remove environmental assessments.

“It does not prevent public consultation or anybody’s right to make submissions or seek judicial review where appropriate.

“What it does mean is that the various State agencies involved in a project of this scale will be expected to prioritise their work, coordinate more effectively and avoid unnecessary administrative delays.”

BusConnects should be included

Labour councillor for the city’s South East ward Peter Horgan said that BusConnects Cork should have also been designated as critical.

“We cannot continue to speak about tackling congestion, reducing emissions, supporting housing growth and improving quality of life while delaying one of the most important public transport programmes in the country,” he said.

“For years we have heard promises. Cork has been told repeatedly that better bus services are on the way.

“The public’s patience is understandably wearing thin.”

His party colleague in Cork City North East, John Maher, said it was disappointing that the Northern Distributor Road was also not included.