Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree. Limerick has four rail lines that can be used. If we were to build them new, it would cost billions and the economics might not stack up, but given that we have the rail infrastructure, every time we have put the stations in and provided new services, we have seen the public flock to them, in spite of the low expectations in terms of usage. Limerick needs to be twice the size. The Buchanan report back in the 1960s set targets which it has never reached. It is good for the entire country if Limerick has a strong vibrant core, in particular in the historic core because it is such a beautiful city. If we make the investment in the transport infrastructure and also do the initial development of housing close to the centre, people will see it as a very attractive place to live and the whole process will then pick up. It is not just the State but the State needs to lead.