Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many people now accept with the new figures we received that it is likely that Athenry to Claremorris will proceed.

Will the section from Claremorris to Collooney be considered in view of the fact that it would provide a connection, within a ten-minute bus ride, to Knock Airport from Charlestown? Furthermore, if that section was completed - it is there so it only has to be reopened - it would deliver the longest freight line on the island, the whole way from Sligo. The Minister rightly keeps mentioning Ballina but Sligo has huge potential for rail. If we consider south County Donegal and all of the timber and everything there, the line could be run the whole way down to Rosslare when the Waterford to Rosslare line is reopened. That would give an extraordinary reach for freight within the country, including right into Donegal, as I said. Will the Minister confirm that, in a brave move for the north west, he will seriously consider completing the project and extending the line to Collooney? We should be done with shilly-shallying around and go for balanced regional development in both freight and passenger rail.

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