Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and commend them on their work. I read with interest the more detailed submission that was circulated to committee members. It was clear that the WDC was playing a significant role in the economic development of the western region. I come from the south east, and I would love to have such a voice working for us across various sectors, be it with the Government, State agencies or local authorities.

I note with interest that the WDC has invested €48 million, supported 134 enterprises and leveraged an additional €208 million for investment, all of which is significant. Will Mr. Brannigan elaborate on the jobs that this investment has supported in enterprises in the western region? He mentioned that there was the potential for more growth in similar projects. Will he provide more information on same?

I was going to ask about the WDC's views on Project Ireland 2040 and the national planning framework. Its submission refers to Galway as an anchor for the region. Sligo is identified as an urban area of growth in Project Ireland 2040. With both growth areas, there is potential everywhere in the region between them.

Members were right to refer to the infrastructural deficit. Being from the south east, I am concerned by a piece of infrastructure that links our two regions, that being, the freight train service between Ballina and the Port of Waterford, which recently ceased. The latter is the only port outside of Dublin with a direct rail connection. We should try to find ways to sustain such rail lines to improve interconnectivity between the regions and continental Europe. If there was a role for the WDC to identify replacement business, for example, by combining smaller volumes and then building the sustainability of such a freight train service between the west and south east, it would be a job well done. Will the WDC consider carrying out a feasibility study of companies in the western region with a view to determining whether the service can be reinstated?