Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Ms Considine on her appointment and welcome her and Mr. Kenny to the session. I place on record my thanks to Jim Meade for his service down through the years. He was an excellent person to deal with in terms of improving and expanding rail connectivity right across the island, in particular in Mayo, where I am based.

I welcome the discussion on the all-island rail review as a regular rail user and someone who has advocated regularly for additional services. The increase in services has been very positive, in particular in Mayo, on which I will focus most of my contribution.

The introduction of the early-morning rail service connecting Ballina into Manulla Junction and onwards to Dublin has been a very significant and very positive development for County Mayo, in particular north Mayo, which was previously isolated. Are there plans for additional services on the Mayo line? As previous contributors have said, capacity is the issue and it is felt on every single line. I wish to advocate for additional services on the Mayo line. Could the witnesses clarify if there are plans for additional services on the Mayo route?