Mr. Colmán Ó Raghallaigh:

There is a major proposal for the development of a multi-modal freight hub in Claremorris, with the railway line at the centre. It is being developed by private investors who will be contacting Iarnród Éireann in the very near future.

It has the potential to bring road hauliers, the rail company and logistic operators into co-operation and grow greatly the number of freight operations taking place in the west. It is in the early stages of development, but it is a definite runner.

With regard to the situation in Sligo and Donegal in the context of TEN-T funding, the two elements of TEN-T funding are the core and comprehensive networks. The west and north west and the Border region are included in the comprehensive network part of the TEN-T, while the core network covers railway development between, for example, Foynes and Limerick. As the development of Foynes Port is contingent on achieving TEN-T funding for a rail link, it will happen. When it does, it will mean areas in the west can be connected to the deep sea port at Foynes, if the missing link from Claremorris to Athenry is put in place. By proxy or, as the Minister stated, by adding value to existing infrastructure, County Mayo could have a strong case for looking south rather than having to look east all of the time.