Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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First, we have a good train and bus service between Sligo and Dublin but several years ago, the freight service closed. That does not make sense because we have a good deal of haulage involving heavy lorries on the N4, which in parts is unfit for the volume of traffic on the road. We have rail lines that are unused overnight and on which there is reduced usage on weekends.

We need to reconsider the decision to close the freight service between Sligo and Dublin. That decision was taken at a point in time and the assumption is that it was the correct decision. It is like having hospital theatres closed at nights and at weekends, the expensive infrastructure is not being used. That needs to be reconsidered.

Second, I wish to raise the issue of cross-Border transport and the Galway to Belfast road. The N16 road between Sligo and the Border at Belcoo is a disgrace. As far as I am aware the N16 link with the A4 does not appear on Transport 2020. It is difficult for me to keep a straight face when I hear people discussing transnational routes when I know the unsafe state of the road between Sligo and Belfast, and more particularly between Sligo and the Border at Belcoo and onwards to Enniskillen. There is ongoing work but it is work on patches here and there that does not address the fundamental work that needs to be done.

My final point is nakedly parochial. I hope the Minister is aware of the stretch of road between Collooney and Sligo dotted with white crosses to mark the place where so many people have died. I am happy to say that An Board Pleanála has now approved the plans for that road widening. I plead with the Minister to expedite the funding for that very dangerous stretch of road. I commend the people who erected the white crosses, although it is morbid, because it hammers home the message that so many have died on that stretch of road. Will the Minister ensure there is no delay in providing the funding for that stretch of road?