Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the reply. What we are getting is renewal and maintenance of what is there but we presumed that would happen. We are getting a few platforms in Ceannt Station and a passing loop in Oranmore. It is not much for the whole of Connacht. That is the first thing that has to be said.

The Minister mentioned the concept of renewing existing infrastructure. This project scores very highly in that regard. Cost certainty is absolutely huge because the big variables are taken out of this as it is an existing railway line and we have the alignment. The project scores very highly with regard to emissions. Would it ease the Minister's problems somewhat if we were to seek funding in the west from the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, to co-fund this project and potentially look for CLÁR funding as most of the railway line is in the CLÁR area? If this were to be made available to reduce the net cost to the Department, would it ease the challenge for the Minister in getting this no-brainer project off the ground at last? It is great to have a whole lot of platforms in Ceannt Station but what we really need to fill those platforms are trains coming in from three directions, rather than two.

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