Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. It goes some way. I had some verbal conversations with Irish Rail, in which I was told that anything it was doing was temporary and reversible. I am glad the Minister of State has been able to clarify to some degree where it is at. He might be able to let us know when he anticipates that the rail review will be complete. Only then can we estimate what damage may have occurred, if any. If the Minister of State is telling me that there will be none, and that Irish Rail and the NTA have an agreement, I would be pleased to pass that on to my constituents.

This is a rail line on which I travelled to work in my younger days, from Campile railway station to Waterford. It provided very easy access. We now have a new bridge in New Ross that has bypassed the town. It is a fantastic accolade. We have not seen the town suffer or a loss of traffic because if it. There is quite good accessibility.

The Minister of State will know the greenways have been phenomenal. They have given people a lift. In my area, we expect the New Ross to Waterford one will be completed sometime in the middle of 2022.

Having a greenway from Rosslare to Waterford, joining up with Dungarvan, would be phenomenal on the basis that it would bring tourism to the area. A EuroVelo route comes through my area. I appreciate that this enhances the country as a whole. Whether it runs along the side of the railway line or uses this bridge, it is paramount that the bridge is maintained and functional. I ask for a commitment on that and a possible timeline for when the review will be complete.

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