Irish Government Injects £197 m into Cross‑Border Rail
The Irish government will channel £197 m from its Shared Island Fund to improve rail services that link Dublin, Belfast and Derry. Out of the overall €228 m (£197 m) the bulk – €193 m (£166 m) – will finance track and infrastructure upgrades on the Londonderry‑Belfast‑Dublin corridor, while a further €35 m (€30 m) will fund the continuation of an hourly train service between Dublin and Belfast until at least 2030.
The donation will support a 15‑20 minute transfer time that is being built into the connection between the Dublin‑Belfast and Belfast‑Derry lines, a key step in streamlining travel for commuters and visitors alike. This funding is part of a levy that has already seen the Irish government commit more than €1 bn (£862 m) to cross‑border projects, with another €377 m (£325 m) earmarked for 12 new initiatives over 2027‑2030.
Other projects sharing the extra £200 m include a €40 m contribution to a port development scheme, €30 m for the third phase of the Ulster Canal restoration, and €33 m for a new Lough Neagh Catchment Water‑Quality programme to tackle blue‑green algae. There is also an investment in a revamped cricket precinct at Stormont to help co‑host the 2030 Men's T20 Cricket World Cup.
Early‑years education stands to benefit as well, with €13.5 m (£12 m) earmarked for 1 000 new training places aimed at enhancing early learning across the island. With these measures, Chief Minister Micheál Martin announced the fund’s role in "building a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all communities."
Image © BBC News NI
