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

The good thing about this project is that it would cost a lot less depending on who we believe, and whether we believe the Bradley report or the original report from Ernst & Young. Between €150 million and the outer limit of €200 million is a lot less than the cost of the road from Castlebar to Westport. There is €1 billion in the rural regeneration and development fund. Would it change the attitude of the Minister if it was making a contribution to this project? It is a straight question.

I will answer the Minister's question on doubling the line. By putting in the passing loop, which was already agreed, in Oranmore, the frequency of the trains can be reduced to quarter of an hour. This is sufficient for the moment until we build up the critical number of trains coming in. I would put it the other way around. Let us do Athenry to Claremorris first and then, when the line with the new passing loop in Oranmore carries the number of trains coming in from the various directions, we can double the line. The Minister is putting the cart before the horse.

If money were available, with 30% from sources of funding other than the Department, would the Minister be willing to let the project go ahead? As he has said, of course it is an interprovincial project and we understand the geography of it. Would the Minister be willing to let the project go ahead, stop the constant putting it for study after study and just do it? As he said, it is only renewing existing infrastructure.

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