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

In the context of what we are discussing, it still leaves us in a state of flux,. We have to work from where we are today, however.

I go back to Mr. Kenny's comments. It is my understanding that said that the agreement is that if greenways are placed on closed railway lines, they be built under strict licence in order that rail will always have priority if a route is needed. That safeguards the line for future rail development. Does Mr. Kenny agree that putting a greenway on a closed rail route keeps it in public ownership? He said he wants the local authorities to be involved. It also protects the route from squatters and, I presume, would stabilise the infrastructure. I would like to hear Mr. Kenny's view on whether it would be of benefit in the longer term, should a railway be built on it subsequently?

Mr. Kenny stated that Iarnród Éireann's policy is to build the western rail corridor, certainly as far as Claremorris, but that it will be determined by public policy and that Iarnród Éireann follows public policy. That is my complaint. Once again, we have no clear direction on public policy today. We have heard lots of rumours. I will not say what they are because they are all we have and that leaves us in this flux.

I heard what Mr. Kelly from Mayo County Council said and while I might not agree, I fully understand that the members of Mayo County Council are all elected representatives and are as entitled as we are or anyone else is, to put into their county plan what they want and to make their views known. The plan states:

That the western rail corridor (WRC) is protected and preserved for the delivery of Rail Infrastructure to develop the region and the corridor is completely removed from any feasibility study in relation to any proposed greenway.

Why is that sentence included in the plan? I do not understand what the rationale is for excluding it from a feasibility study. It is not being excluded from progressing a greenway, but from looking at the feasibility. If you want to make a decision about something, you have to take all the evidence into consideration. A feasibility study looks at the pros and cons, the pluses and minuses. Will Mr. Kelly tell me what the rationale is for that aspect being closed? I say that in full understanding of the fact that it is entirely appropriate for Mayo County Council to make that decision. I am not criticising the fact it was made. I am simply asking what Mr. Kelly thinks the rationale for it is.