Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have been clear in my position for the past two years and particularly since the publication of the review. It does not include the extension of the rail corridor from Claremorris north east towards Sligo. That makes a strong case for the use of that line as a greenway, as the Deputy suggested, and the benefit of that is we would be able to hold a line so that, if at some future date it was needed as part of this rail revival, the line would be in place. We should be looking at the use of such a line as a greenway. It is not going to be included in the plan as a railway line and therefore that makes sense.

I said there are different views. The revival of rail freight, and considering the western rail corridor in that context, unlocks it economically and also allows us to put passenger services after that. The economics of that decision and the viability of the revival of rail freight is very contested. We need a public debate on that.

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