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For Oral Answer on : 15/01/2026
Question Number(s): 183 Question Reference(s): 1450/26
Department: Transport
Asked by: Joe Cooney T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on each section of the West Clare Railway Greenway; the next steps to be taken for sections one and two; the plans for investment in sections three and four in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to greenways. The planning, design and construction of individual National and Regional Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). TII have informed me of the following:
Clare County Council are currently advancing the delivery of a greenway broadly along the line of the old West Clare Railway. The project aims to enhance recreation, leisure and amenities for local residents, while also offering a new sustainable tourism visitor experience in West & North Clare. By attracting visitors and promoting outdoor activity, the Greenway is expected to boost local employment and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
The proposed Greenway will be approximately 100km long, incorporating safe links to nearby towns and villages. Due to the scale of the project, it has been divided into four sections for delivery purposes;
Section 1 (Kilrush to Kilkee),
Section 2 (Ennis to Ennistymon),
Section 3 (Ennistymon to Miltown Malbay) &
Section 4 (Miltown Malbay to Moyasta),
Each section is progressing at different stages of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Project Management Guidelines (PMGs).
Section one (Kilrush to Kilkee), is currently the most advanced and is at Phase 3 of the TII PMGs ( Design and Environmental Evaluation) .The project is being progressed in line with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, all three non-statutory public consultations have been completed, covering the Study Area, Route Options, and the Emerging Preferred Corridor. Engagement with affected households and landowners is on-going and in general is progressing positively, with one-to-one negotiations well underway. Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreements will proceed throughout 2026 subject to funding, with the aim of reaching mutually beneficial outcomes. It is anticipated subject to funding that the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), Natura Impact Statement (NIS), General Alignment Drawings, and Land Acquisition documentation will be submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála in Q3 2026.
Section two (Ennis to Ennistymon) is at Phase 2 of the TII PMGs (Option Selection).The development of the Options Selection Report is ongoing. When completed (subject to funding), a preferred route corridor will be identified and published, with public consultation to follow. It is expected that this will take place in Q4 2026.
Sections three (Ennistymon to Miltown) and four ( Miltown Malbay to Moyasta) did not receive a grant allocation in 2025 due to funding and resource constraints.
It is anticipated that the National Greenway and Active Travel Grants allocations booklet will be published before the end of January, details of 2026 allocations for schemes will be contained within the booklet.