Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It will come as no surprise to the Minister that I have concerns about LSMATS, particularly when a vital piece of infrastructure such as the northern distributor road is removed from the second iteration of the strategy without consultation and against the wishes of the vast majority of elected members in both Clare and Limerick. It is my understanding that this was done under the Minister's instruction. Under the rail section of that document it commits, as the Minister said, to a new rail station in Moyross that would match the demand for travel in that area. I speak specifically of a station in Moyross and its potential. The people of Moyross have worked really hard in recent years to transform the area. They have campaigned for it no longer to be the cul-de-sac cut off from neighbouring estates that it was for years, and its success was the start of the development of the Coonagh-Knockalisheen road. Moyross and its surrounds are an area prime for development and investment. It is close to the city and perfect for a park-and-ride area. Limerick's main sporting grounds, Thomond Park, and Gaelic grounds are close by, if a train were delivered, and a connection has the potential to open the area to visitors and investors alike. It was in the original Limerick regeneration plan but, unfortunately, was not progressed, so I welcome the Minister's comments on that.

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