Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Topical Issue. I thank my colleague Deputy Kenny for also raising it. There are a number of issues involved. We know the all-island rail review is due for publishing. I also understand an environmental assessment of the review must be done. I ask that the assessment be done as quickly as possible and that the consultations are completed within a couple of months. I understand there are some implications in terms of having Stormont up and running again. This is very important. We can do the work to the point this becomes necessary. If ministerial approval is required for the report perhaps we can look at another framework. I appeal to the DUP to get the Executive back up and running. This is very important because of the funding we can leverage from the EU. As regions in transition, the North and north west can lever 60% funding. If we match this with Exchequer funding and other funding, and there will also be possibilities under PEACE PLUS as we continue the western rail corridor, it will be very important.

People in rural Ireland want to play their part in climate action and what needs to be done. They cannot do so without the alternatives. I ask the Government to give us the alternative of being able to travel by rail and have the western rail corridor open, for all of the reasons outlined by Deputy Kenny, including accessing hospitals where services are centralised. There are great opportunities with the Atlantic Technological University, Knock airport and the strategic development zone. All of these fit together. The western rail corridor is the catalyst for all of these things to happen and to maximise opportunities along the Atlantic economic corridor. I ask the Minister of State to make it a priority. We cannot wait any longer for this to happen. If we make it a priority we will all work together.

I know the Regional Group and many others here feel the same way about it. There is cross-party support for this project, which is quite unusual. We just need to get the project started and the corridor reopened.

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