Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Deputy would agree that the first priority is twin tracking from Athenry to Galway because it would give all sorts of potential for increasing transport-led development and development in Oranmore and new areas in Galway. Down the line, when the western rail corridor is reopened, it would give greater possibilities to run services but first things first. The first project will be twin tracking from Athenry to Galway to serve Ceannt Station and other stations on the route.

Wider use of the western rail corridor goes back to what we were speaking about with regard to it being a service running from Waterford all the way up to Ballina, taking in the Waterford to Limerick line and Limerick Junction. This has to be seen as a section of this. It has to be seen not just as a Connacht issue but a west of Ireland issue for freight as well as passenger services on the Atlantic rail corridor. This is how we have to see it.

I would love to take money from the CLÁR programme or any other programme that could help funding of this because, in truth, the big challenge we will have is funding. We have just heard a very valid case for funding for a significant project in Navan in County Meath. We have just heard the same from Wicklow. Every part of the country, including Limerick, is critical. Just to upgrade the road from Westport to Castlebar would cost €250 million.

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