Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I thank the Chair for letting me in. Apologies for arriving late.

I cannot better what has been said. The guests have stated it clearly. The presentations have been reasonable. It is not a question of either-or. It is about what we can do now that will make a difference and that does not preclude what could happen in the future. That is a reasonable way of doing it because, in truth, we do not know who the Minister for Transport will be in the future and we do not know what decisions will be taken. What we are discussing here today does not stop anything from happening in the future. In fact, and our guests can correct me if I am wrong on this, it might help. If the greenway was preserved or whatever, it might be in a better place if it was to be upgraded.

I hear what the Chair says. Nothing can be done tomorrow, but this is a long time in gestation. I have had debates and discussions with some of the people here and I changed my mind when I could see the reality of what they were saying. Mr. Cunniffe spoke of footfall. I am only thinking really of Sligo, but Mayo is the same, and the importance of that greenway and the difference it would make to so many small towns along the route.

When one is looking at the various magazines talking about what to see and visit in Ireland, one of the top attractions is always the Waterford greenway. I know why. I wish that we could have the same in the north west. Whatever camps people are in, we should be practical and think of people now and in the next ten-to-15 years. We will not do anything to stop further decisions or ambition, as Deputy Martin Kenny said, but we need to work now.