‘Criminal’ - Waterford to Rosslare line disappears from plan for Irish railways

Plans to reopen the Waterford to Rosslare railway line appear to be on hold after the line was omitted from a document outlining the Government’s rail priorities.

The reopening of the Waterford to Rosslare line was listed as one of the recommendations of the All-Island Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.

A follow-up document, titled ‘Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy’, was published on Monday, December 15.

However, there was no sign of the Waterford to Rosslare line in a map outlining ‘priority projects’.

Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Cllr Feljin Jose, responded to the omission on social media.

READ NEXT: Waterford residents ‘scared to go out at night’ amid ‘dangerous’ council decision

He posted: “They've done it again, they've cut more rail projects. The most criminal one for me is cancelling the reopening of the Waterford-Wexford/Rosslare line.

“I flagged this as a possibility when it wasn't included in the NDP (National Development Plan) last month. The line exists and is in good condition.

“Reopening it would have connected Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Cork and Galway with Wexford/Rosslare. It would have been great for regional development.

“There's also huge investment planned for Rosslare Europort, which really should be coupled with investment in both passenger and freight rail in the area.”

They've done it again, they've cut more rail projects. The most criminal one for me is cancelling the reopening of the Waterford-Wexford/Rosslare line. On the left is the All-island Rail Review published by the last government and on the right is the plan published today. pic.twitter.com/CkbRfqPYgJ

— Feljin Jose (@Feljin_J) December 15, 2025

Cllr Jose also noted that several other lines have seemingly been dropped from the plan.

A previously proposed new line from Mullingar through Cavan and Monaghan to Portadown does not appear on the map.

The official Green Party account also reacted to the changes, stating: “Deeply disappointing that this government has dropped game-changing rail projects for the Midlands, South-East and Mid-West.

“These new and reopened rail lines would have given thousands of workers a realistic, affordable commuting option.”

Despite the omission of the Rosslare line, Waterford is mentioned on several occasions in the document.

Improvements to the Waterford to Limerick route are planned, with a passing loop to be constructed east of Clonmel.

The aim is to achieve a two-hourly service between Waterford and Limerick.

Improvements to the Waterford to Dublin line are also proposed, with line speed enhancements and electrification forming part of the plans.

It is listed as a major project, meaning it would cost upwards of €200 million.

The Department of Transport insists that all plans are subject to a ‘robust approvals and funding process’.

In a statement to WaterfordLive, it explained its position regarding the Waterford-Rosslare line.

It stated: “Together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, the Department of Transport published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy.

“This strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.

“The rail strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as early interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030.”

The Department went on to say that the Waterford to Rosslare line will not be progressed until after the major projects, which are listed as long-term in the document, are completed. 

“The rail strategy also identifies major projects, including capacity/frequency enhancements and electrification of the Waterford rail line, to be progressed for the longer-run.

“Projects are identified in the strategy as priorities to be progressed, and the rail strategy does not cancel any projects.

“Rather projects such as reinstating the rail line between Waterford and Wexford are intended to be progressed in the longer-term, following the implementation of the major projects identified in the strategy.”

The Department concluded by noting the other aforementioned railway works planned for the South East, as well as work on the new train station in Waterford city.