Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that response. It is in the interests of the western region and the region from which I come, the south east, because the Port of Waterford is an access point to continental Europe. It was served by a freight train service that, unfortunately, has ceased. If we want to sustain the port into the future, we must identify new opportunities. If the Western Development Commission could collaborate with whomever it must within the western region and the Port of Waterford to try to re-establish the line, it would be mutually beneficial. That is on what our efforts should be focused - finding solutions and new opportunities. I would appreciate it if the commission were to do so.

I was struck by Mr. Brannigan's figures for development and tourism. Obviously, the Wild Atlantic Way winds its way through much of the western region. I note from the CSO figures announced only today that in the month of May more than 1 million overseas visitors visited Ireland, up nearly 250,000 on the figure for the same period last year. There are huge opportunities to attract overseas visitors into all regions which would help to sustain rural enterprises. I see this happening in the south east through the success of the Waterford Greenway, from which many rural enterprises have emanated in a very short period. Towns and villages along the greenway are finding vibrant new economic uses and there are new restaurants and services and so on. I know that there are greenways in the west also. There is one in Westport and I think there are plans to extend it to Achill. There are huge opportunities for all of us. The Western Development Commission has a role to play in identifying what lies ahead and where the potential for growth is. I wish it well in its work.