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

The Deputy's knowledge of the area is far better than mine but I am not too sure that I would characterise the part of the country in question as being in decline. What we want to do is see it develop faster. We want better-balanced regional development. In that context, the section of rail the Deputy mentioned is important. The section from Athenry to Claremorris has to be seen as part of a longer whole. In my view, the western rail corridor starts in Waterford, strangely enough. The line is completely underutilised, particularly from Waterford to Limerick. The lines from Limerick to Ennis and from Ennis to Galway have seen a revival and a return of passenger services, but not to the extent that would see the full use of the existing assets. The really interesting question concerns the completion of the western corridor, running from Ballina right down the west coast to the south east. It is in that context that we must consider that section of rail.

See this speech in context