The Taoiseach has announced a €230 million investment from the Shared Island Fund to improve rail connectivity across the island. The package will fund track renewals and support more frequent services on key cross-border routes.

The bulk of the funding, around €100 million, is allocated for track renewal work on the Belfast–Derry and Belfast–Dublin lines. A further €93 million will go towards the DART+ coastal North project, and €34.5 million is earmarked to maintain an hourly Enterprise service between the two capital cities.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the investment would accelerate improvements on the Derry–Belfast and Belfast–Dublin corridors, helping to deliver faster journeys and greater reliability. She noted that the funding would strengthen regional balance and connectivity, linking communities and supporting the all-island economy.

The announcement follows a previous €700 million package from the Irish Government and the PEACEPLUS programme for new trains on the Belfast–Dublin route. Together, the two commitments bring the total rail investment to almost €1 billion, according to the minister.

The Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland will continue to progress initial phases of major projects identified in the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy, working in a coordinated manner on cross-border routes as funding becomes available.