Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In April 2021 we commenced the all-island rail review to develop a strategy for the planning and provision of an enhanced rail network across the whole island of Ireland. Over two years later we still do not have the findings of that review, which have yet to be published. The Taoiseach will be aware that there was a recent and significant investment announcement in the town of Athenry, with a US company called Dexcom hoping to provide 1,500 jobs. There will be an urgent need for the development of new rail and active travel connections to Athenry from Oranmore, for example, and from Tuam. Neither of these developments can take place until the findings of this review are published. I urge the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to publish the strategy so we can move ahead to begin planning for a new future in sustainable and active travel to and from Athenry.

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