Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I concur with Deputy Ó Cuív about the situation on the part of the line from Collooney to Claremorris. For a long time we have sought funding to preserve that line to ensure that it is in place. I note the Minister's comments about freight and everything else. We all agree that investment in rail is an investment that requires much lower funding for a much bigger return for the public. It provides public transport, which is not available, by and large, across vast areas of the west of Ireland. The western rail corridor can be a game-changer in reviving communities, connecting economies, communities and regions across the west. If that part of the rail line is done, it will connect to Ireland West Airport Knock and Galway. It makes sense that if people fly into Ireland West Airport Knock and get off the plane, they can get a train to either go north towards Sligo or south towards Galway. That is not there at the moment. Strategically, it is vital that we put the investment in place to develop the rail line along the entire western rail corridor.

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