Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The proposal for the Athenry to Claremorris section is there and there are indicative figures in respect of it. That is welcome, because we need to have something on which to we can base stuff. One of the points made by Senator Warfield related to the Mayo county development plan referring to the exclusion of greenways. I understand this. I have come across situations in the past where there has been work done to open up greenways on the routes of old rail lines, particularly some of the old narrow-gauge rail lines. The problem with this is that farmers whose lands were located adjacent to where this work was being done started foddering the cattle on the high ground that was dry. They then they built sheds and yards on that ground. Some houses were even built on it. One of the biggest obstacles that arises when you go to do these things, and I am sure Mr. Doocey will concur, is when there has been an invasion of that space by either adjacent properties or whatever. From that point of view, I imagine the thinking is that they make sure nobody else can put anything in that area so that it is free for what the potential long-term use is going to be, which would be a rail line. I imagine that is where this notion came from. Whether it is workable or not, we need to understand that.

What we need to do is ensure that the corridor is made free to open up a rail line; if not this year or in ten years' time, then at some point in the future. That future is coming at us very fast. Ireland and all other countries are in a situation whereby there is going to be a need for more public transport. It will become more expensive for people to use private cars. Having a network of public transport everywhere will be necessary. The opening of the entire rail corridor is something we should continue to focus on. Certainly, I will continue to be focused on it as the main priority. That is not to say we do not need to have greenways. We need greenways, but where we have a rail line in place and where there is a determination on the part of the people in a particular region and everyone else to get that rail line opened, we should focus on it as a priority. We should certainly have greenways, but we should not in any way put anything in place that would act as an obstacle in the future. That is the problem people have. If a greenway goes in, people will ask what will happen in the future if we try to put a rail line in place. They will say that there will be objections and complaints and attempts to stop whatever is planned . As a result, people want to retain the rail lines that are already in place. That is the reason this division has developed. It is very unfortunate. We should try to find a way to facilitate both ambitions and we should work together to deliver them. In the context of the western rail corridor, it is clear that we need to see the Dublin to Sligo line linked to a line that runs all the way south and all the way north. If we are going to have balanced regional development, that is what we need to see happen as quickly as possible.