Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Counties like Galway, Mayo and Sligo are home to more than 500,000 people and linking these three counties directly via rail would make an enormous difference in terms of connectivity to the west, while connecting them to the south would go a long way towards tackling regional imbalance. We can create a strong rail link between the west and south, and that can only benefit industry, commuters and the economy as a whole. A very positive opportunity is presenting itself with the westward extension of the Foynes to Limerick line, just as we are doing with DART+ and the new stations in Waterford, Oranmore and Moyross.

We cannot continue to delay the publication of the all-Ireland strategic review. Given the deep-rooted insecurities, along with the Northern Ireland Executive not being established, we need to see progress in this area.

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