Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to refer to a small bit of housekeeping. The Minister mentioned that he is doing a national review of the rail network, which is very welcome. We wrote to his office looking for an update on that. Could he give us a follow-up briefing on that?

I was struck by his reference to making optimum use of existing assets. Could he elaborate on that, in particular in terms of rail? He will be aware that we are looking at rail connectivity on the M20. One of the options is to upgrade the existing rail line between Charleville and Limerick. Limerick Junction to Limerick city has only a single rail line within a double rail line. It does not interfere with private property. Two other routes were proposed. I am interested in hearing the Minister's general thinking on his vision for public transport. He is well aware of my commitment on the M20. I use the train to Dublin. I am probably one of the biggest users or rail and I am a great supporter of rail, but I do not see rail and road as being mutually exclusive.

I want to let other members in, but I am interested in getting the Minister's thoughts on his vision for the area. I have a strong view that rail and road are not mutually exclusive. It is about finding a way to get connectivity and balanced regional development. I am strongly in favour of the M20 because I believe we need a counter-pole along the western seaboard to Dublin and a key ingredient of that is a motorway. Equally, we need to enhance the rail network. I would like to see the Limerick Junction to Limerick city line becoming a double rail line. I am surprised that has not happened before now. It was there previously. At the moment, one does not have to get off the train between Charleville and Limerick. I would favour that approach rather than putting in a new rail line across virgin territory where it would cause significant anxiety among residents and not make maximum use of the existing rail network. I ask the Minister to give me his thoughts on it. It is a broader question, but it is something we do not get an opportunity to debate in the wider sphere. We have a couple of minutes. The Minister might just me his thoughts generally on it.