Major Kildare Rail Project Left Hanging As Tánaiste Says He Will “Keep An Eye” On It

Monday, 8 December 2025 16:50

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

The Tánaiste said he will speak to the Minister for Transport and “keep an eye” on the DART+ South West line.

The Tánaiste has refused to commit to restarting the DART+ South West rail project, despite accepting that congestion in Kildare is already at breaking point.

Speaking in the Dáil, Simon Harris said not every major project moves forward at the same time - even when funding is announced and planning is complete.

He said some projects can be revisited when others stall, but stressed that this is not how the system usually works.

The Tánaiste said he will speak to the Minister for Transport and “keep an eye” on the DART+ South West line.

He acknowledged that roads alone cannot fix congestion, as pressure continues to build on the M7 and M50.

"In the context of capital budgets, often capital budgets are announced but not every project moves at the same time," Harris said.

Kildare North Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly said there is anger over plans to postpone the project until 2030.

It was intended to bring the DART to Hazelhatch station.

He said the project was "shovel ready" and had planning permission, with work expected to originally begin in the new year.

More from Local News

Kildare Among Worst Affected Counties As 54,000 Lose Power Nationwide

Met Éireann’s Status Orange and Yellow weather warnings remain in place, and ESB Networks says further outages are likely as conditions continue to change.
Majority Of Councillors Vote To Suspend Pay Parking In Naas During Christmas Period

Audio

Councillor Bill Clear said free parking will operate via a hybrid system. He said that offering free parking helps local businesses and can influence whether residents shop at their local bookstore or choose to buy books on Amazon instead.
Children's Minister Announces Reforms Of Assessment Of Need Process, Admits System Is Broken

Audio

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall said that "without the structures in place, this will not be worth the paper it’s written on".
Council Refers Kilcock–Maynooth Shuttle Bus Suggestion To NTA For Consideration

The proposal, put forward by Social Democrats Councillor Peter Melrose, calls for a morning and evening service to allow commuters to connect with Maynooth rail services.
Almost 2,000 Residents In Athy Currently Affected By Power Outages

Customers in Moneycooley and Blake are also without power
Ireland Secures Extension Of Nitrates Derogation To 2028, Minister Heydon Confirms

Audio

The Nitrates Committee of the European Commission met to extend the derogation, which expires this month, until the end of 2028 with some new conditions attached.
Watch: Backlash As Government Video Advises Young Adults How To Cope If They Move Back Home

Over 80% of 25-year-olds in Kildare are still living in their family home.
Dozens Of Dumping Fines And Repeat Offenders Caught In Athy CCTV Pilot At Recycling Bank

The council says there have also been a number of repeat offenders, while 15 incidents could not be pursued because those responsible could not be identified.