The Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins MLA, whose portfolio includes responsibility for the maintenance and development of critical infrastructure in Northern Ireland, has emphasised the importance of continued investment in rail.
Speaking at the Railway Industry Association’s (RIA) Northern Ireland Railway Networking Reception at Stormont in Belfast, Minister Kimmins said: “Investing in rail is an investment in people, place and potential. It strengthens our economy, creates high-quality long-term jobs, connects communities to opportunity, protects our environment and supports a safer, greener, more inclusive island.”
The event comes at a time of great ambition for the railway on the island of Ireland and as passenger numbers have been boosted by the opening of Belfast Grand Central Station. An hourly Belfast to Dublin Enterprise service is now carrying more than 40 per cent more passengers.
There are no plans to slow down, with the All-Island Strategic Rail Review setting out a long-term vision for rail development across Ireland to 2050, and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy outlining the sequencing and delivery of projects across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
On the day of the RIA Northern Ireland Railway Networking Reception, the Taoiseach, the Prime Minister of Ireland, confirmed his intention to allocate a further €377 million under the Shared Island Fund, including significant investment in rail projects. The Infrastructure Minister told attendees in Belfast that a portion of this funding will be directed towards rail infrastructure.
“This investment will not only help to increase line speeds along the key Dublin to Belfast to Derry corridor, improving connectivity and journey times, but it will also play a critical role in accelerating the implementation of the All-Island Strategy Rail Review. Importantly, this renewed commitment brings us a step closer to delivering on the ambitions set out in that review—strengthening economic links, supporting regional development, and enhancing sustainable transport across the island.”
Looking ahead, Ms Kimmins said work is progressing on Phase 3 of the Coleraine–Derry track programme, backed by £74 million of committed funding and due to commence in 2027. This next phase will complete the transformation of the line, support faster journeys and unlock further passenger growth.
There is also the expansion of Park and Ride facilities at Moira, Ballymena, Mossley West and Bellarena — practical improvements that aim to encourage modal shift, reduce congestion and support a cleaner transport network. The Enterprise fleet replacement programme has also been agreed.
The Minister concluded: “The Rail Review sets out the vision. The Prioritisation Strategy, now the authoritative framework, sets the pathway. And North–South collaboration, which my Department and counterpart departments in the South provide, gives us the foundation for delivery.
“Here in Belfast, at the heart of our institutions and our transport network, we reaffirm that ambition once again. Together, Government, industry and partners north and south, we can deliver a rail network worthy of the next generation: one that serves all our people and secures a prosperous, sustainable future.”
Good people and collaboration
The RIA reception focused on skills development and efficiency within rail, bringing together industry stakeholders, members and invited guests to share insights and strengthen engagement across the sector.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Campbell Braid, outgoing Chair of RIA Scotland and Operations Director at Siemens Mobility for Scotland and Ireland, the event’s gold sponsor, told attendees that although technologies and the rail network may have changed over the century the organisation has been working in Ireland, some things have remained constant.
“Success in rail depends on good people and collaboration, usually meaning working towards an agreed outcome together,” he said. “Trust is earned every day — on the track, in control rooms, and in the relationships between people working toward a shared goal: delivering a safe, reliable, future-ready railway.
“That’s why we’ve always believed that modernising a railway network is never the work of a single organisation. It requires operators, engineers, suppliers and technology partners all coming together to deliver solutions that benefit the communities the railway serves.
“At the heart of our relationship with Iarnród Éireann, working on a 20-year signalling framework, is a shared mindset: the strongest outcomes come when we work side by side, not transactionally. It means early engagement, open conversations, and a willingness to tackle challenges together.”
Campbell reiterated the Infrastructure Minister’s optimism for the future of railways on the island, highlighting the Belfast to Dublin Enhancement Programme, DART+, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, and the success of Belfast Grand Central Station.
He added: “As Ireland’s railway continues to grow, with increasing demand, digitalisation, and sustainability goals, these trusted partnerships will only become more important.
“We don’t see ourselves simply as a supplier. We see ourselves as a long-term, trusted partner, who will continue supporting today and into the future.”
Also speaking at the event was Shane Lynch from silver sponsor UK Export Finance, who discussed the support the organisation can offer exporters, including those exporting to Ireland.
“At UK Export Finance we are dedicated to supporting supply chains,” he said. “We invite you to reach out to us to explore how we may be able to support your business’s growth, whether that is through access to finance, expanding into new markets or providing reassurance in getting paid.”
Email Bob Docherty at bob.docherty@riani.org.uk for more details about RIA’s work on the island of Ireland.