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

It is existing infrastructure that would require a fair bit of upgrade. We would have to cross the N17 again. It is an existing line but we all know from looking at the line in close detail that it would require a fair amount of investment to bring it back to good quality status. I keep coming back to the fact that I do not think we can look at this on its own. We also have to reintroduce the rail line to Foynes at the same time, as we see the western rail corridor having access to a deep sea port, with rail freight access right down to the quayside. It is not just about the section from Athenry to Claremorris; it is part of something wider.

In truth, if we look at the line from Waterford to Limerick and Limerick Junction, we will also have to twin track from Limerick Junction to Limerick city. If we look at each individual decision on its own, we do not get the wider strategic potential of having a true western rail corridor that runs right the way up the west coast, from the south east right the way up through to the north west. It has to be part of this strategic overall vision. With regard to the strategic rail review, I know many reviews have been done and it is very frustrating but part of the problem is that people have always been looking at it in pieces and not the overall picture. The overall picture is the better way to look at it

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