Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Hopefully, we will get to see something within this rail strategy that points to better and more focused national and regional development right across the country, including in the midlands and the north west. As I stated earlier, we need to rebalance the distribution of infrastructure in this State.

I already mentioned to the Minister of State, and he agreed, about the importance of Dublin Port. I point out to him that Dublin Port has more than 80% of all container traffic coming into the country. A lot of that comes in and goes out from the west. A rail head in Ballina servicing Waterford Port would be a big improvement. Beyond that, we also need to look at commuter rail. Currently, I can drive from Waterford to the environs of Dublin in probably about an hour and 45 minutes, but if I go by train it is two and a half hours before I even think of grabbing other public transport to get me there. Does the Minister of State know where we are going in terms of commuter rail within the strategy?

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