Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of the long-awaited phase 2 and phase 3 of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Galway and from Claremorris in Mayo must be addressed. It is absolutely critical that the economic argument for the western rail corridor, both freight and rail, is included in the all-Ireland strategic rail review report to boost sustainable connectivity and address regional imbalance. I attended a conference in Tuam on achieving regional balance. There is cross-party support throughout the entire western region for the restoration of this key infrastructure, which has lain idle for far too long. If the corridor is extended to Claremorris, it will provide a strategic objective, connecting the Port of Waterford and Shannon Foynes Port to Ballina. For that reason, the Foynes project and the Galway-Mayo link should commence without delay. The importance of opening the western rail corridor cannot be stressed enough and I hope the Tánaiste and the Cabinet are giving it serious consideration.

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