Latest news with #Peaceplus
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Tenders for new €165m Dublin-Belfast hybrid trains being evaluated almost two years after issuing
Irish Rail and Translink in Northern Ireland are evaluating tenders for the replacement of cross-Border Enterprise trains between Dublin and Belfast . The €165 million project will see the current four trains on the route replaced by eight trains, six of which are expected to be in service. The other two will act as backups. The trains are being designed as a hybrid electric/diesel service initially with the possibility to switch to fully electric in line with longer-term plans to electrify the whole line between Dublin and Belfast. The tender was published in September 2023, and the contract is expected to be awarded before the end of this year. Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny said a time frame of about two years from tender to award of contract represents 'no undue delay'. READ MORE 'In fact, it is about three months shorter than it took to order the trains for the Dart+ programme.' Asked why the process takes so long, Mr Kenny said the procurement is 'very complex'. The jointly-operated Enterprise was introduced in 1947 and continued to run throughout the Troubles. Journey times range between two hours and five minutes and 2¼ hours, with stops in Portadown, Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda. There are 15 daily services from Monday to Saturday and eight services on Sundays. The new trains are expected to reduce travel times to about one hour and 55 minutes. The current Enterprise trains on the route reach the end of their design life in 2027, but they are expected to get a short extension, with the new fleet due into service in 2029. The new hybrid trains will be designed to switch from the 1,500 volt overhead electric wires, which power the Dart, to 25,000 volts, which is used for long distance train journeys. Irish Rail and Translink were granted funding of €165 million for the project under the Peaceplus crosscross-Border programme, that is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, a North-South implementation body established under the Belfast Agreement. Additional funding for the project is to be provided jointly through the Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The total cost is expected to be under €200 million. The contract for the manufacturing of the new Enterprise fleet is expected to be awarded this year, subject to final funding approval from the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. Campaign group Rail Users Ireland welcomed the plans to upgrade the Enterprise service but said the Dublin to Cork fleet should also be replaced. Spokesman Mark Gleeson said strong passenger growth since an hourly Dublin – Belfast service was introduced in 2024 'points to an urgent need for new trains'. 'Full public consultation is required to ensure seating layouts, comfort and accessibility issues can be looked at before construction to avoid issues later,' he said.
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Funding awarded for project to improve air quality across island of Ireland
A cross-border partnership aimed at tackling air pollution challenges across the island of Ireland has been awarded €6.5m of funding. The impact of agricultural ammonia emissions on health and ecosystems will be among the subjects investigated by the Peace-Air partnership, which aims to improve air quality through engagement, research and activities supporting policies and actions. It has been awarded €6,499,957 of Peaceplus funding. Peaceplus is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Irish and UK governments and the Northern Ireland Executive. It has a total value of €1.14bn. Partners in Peace-Air include University College Cork, Donegal County Council, Queen's University Belfast, Technological University Dublin, University of Galway, Ulster University, Institute of Public Health, Trinity College Dublin and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB The partnership aims to provide scientific evidence on air pollution sources to inform emission reduction policies and to raise awareness on the detrimental health effects of air pollution and its causes. The project will be structured into three main areas of work: Solid fuel burning will be tackled through cross-border monitoring campaigns, community surveys and the establishment of an all-island solid fuel testing laboratory. Transport-related air pollution in cross-border towns will be monitored using low-cost sensor networks and chemical speciation techniques, with citizen scientists engaged to raise awareness. The impact of agricultural ammonia emissions on health and ecosystems will be investigated through field studies, and the current monitoring networks will be assessed in a cross-border context. Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said the Environmental Protection Agency has reported that 1,600 premature deaths annually can be attributed to poor air quality in Ireland. He said: 'The cross-border €6.5m Peace-Air project will bring new strategic engagement to improve air quality right across the island. 'Focusing on collaboration and research across both jurisdictions, Peace-Air will develop an evidence base to inform policy development and lead to better health outcomes. Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed the funding boost (Liam McBurney/PA) Stormont finance minister John O'Dowd said: 'This initiative is a positive example of cross-border co-operation, and it will work to improve air quality through strategic engagement, research and resultant actions across the island of Ireland. 'The project will inform the work of policymakers in both jurisdictions in promoting more effective ways to address air pollution to improve health and wellbeing.' SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said: 'Peace-Air will be the first cross-border collaboration of its kind to tackle common air pollution challenges. 'It delivers unique scientific capability from across the island of Ireland, ensuring inclusive geographic coverage of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.' 'This funding demonstrates Peaceplus in action, bringing experts together to work on delivering positive change which will benefit the lives of so many people across our programme area by protecting and enhancing our natural environment.' Read More Former Tánaiste and MEP Frances Fitzgerald joins consultancy group Teneo
