Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

To add to the debate, the Limerick to Foynes rail line is a project the Minister knows well. I believe this is one of low-hanging fruit pieces of rail infrastructure. We can get that open if we wish in a matter of just a few years. There is talk of trying to get it open in time for the Ryder Cup, but I believe we can do it sooner than that. If we open that rail line in the next 24 to 36 months, we can connect Limerick city, Patrickswell, Adare, Rathkeale, Askeaton and Foynes. There is a freight reason for this particular line in the west because of the nature of the industry around the Shannon estuary. There is also a passenger case to be made for it. It would also feed into the wider plans to develop a suburban rail network around Limerick. I ask that this be raised in the Minister's priority list and that we get it open sooner rather than later.

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