Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Committee on Public Petitions

Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Barry Kenny:

No, absolutely not. The line opened just as the recession hit the economy in a very serious way. This suppressed demand for the first couple of years but it has now surged. For a number of years, it has been the fastest-growing line on our network due to many factors. We are seeing a lot more daily commuting, a huge student population and many more tourists. It allows people to see a bit more of the country, so it is a real success story. It far outstrips the projections made for it.