Dáil debates

Thursday, 19 January 2023

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Rail Network

10:20 am

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's positive comments. This week, Cabinet approval was granted for a €750 million project on the Navan rail line as part of the greater Dublin area transport plan, while the western rail corridor still sits in an unpublished rail review report. Reopening the Athenry-Claremorris line should proceed in advance of the rail review. We cannot wait for the Northern Ireland Government to sort itself out. It may never sort itself out. It is inconceivable that the Government sees itself as being prevented from acting in the interests of the people of the west of Ireland by the DUP.

Precedent exists in terms of the extension of the Foynes line. Athenry and Claremorris should be completed to coincide with the Oranmore loop and Galway station upgrade by 2025. Dáil Éireann and the Government decide on infrastructure investments against a background of cross-party consensus for action to revitalise the western rail corridor. I ask for the support of the Minister on this.

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