Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no case to be made for rail freight in the west of Ireland. The west of Ireland is not the Ruhr valley with steel mills pumping out tons of steel every day or coalmines pumping out tons of coal. The west of Ireland is securing its future in technology, pharmaceuticals and in medical technology. It has no, and will have no, demand for rail freight to any great extent for the foreseeable future, if ever. The EY-DKM report drew the same conclusion. Research by the EU suggests that rail freight only makes financial sense when the distances involved are greater than 150 km. Almost all of Ireland falls within 150 km of a port and, as such, the demand for rail freight is anticipated to be muted.

The Minister has done incredible work in putting in place a budget of €1 million for every day for the lifetime of this Government for investment in active travel and sustainable travel infrastructure. We need to see that investment being made in the west. Please do not be the Minister who does nothing and leaves this crucial piece of public infrastructure bringing no benefit to the communities that urgently need such a benefit, not in the future but now.

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