Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

​A decision to pause the development of the Dublin to Galway greenway west of the River Shannon between Athlone and Galway was taken by my predecessor last October. Deputy Troy is correct when he says that I visited Athlone a few weeks ago to educate myself about greenways. He cannot be incorrect because I was delighted to meet him there. I was brought there by the Deputy's constituency colleague, Deputy Moran, who educated me in the benefits of greenways. I have to say I am a convert as a result of meeting everybody down there, including Deputy Troy. I understand the value for money and the attraction of this potential tourism bonanza. The decision mentioned by Deputy Troy was taken by my predecessor following receipt of an interim report from Transport Infrastructure for Ireland, which is a fairly constipated-sounding quango.

See this speech in context