Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The most interesting thing the Minister has said so far is that there may be a proposal from the review to build a new rail line with the N11 upgrade. We are a small progressive country. The whole of Europe has a proper rail infrastructure that caters for people's needs. A shuttle service would be a retrograde step. The reality is we have to start somewhere and as a progressive country, one of the wealthiest European nations, we should have a high-speed rail network service servicing the whole country, not just Wexford. In my line of work, I could not even contemplate using the train service from Wexford, which is a damning indictment. Rail travel from the main hub of Rosslare Europort to Dublin in this day and age is absolutely ridiculous.

The strategic rail review does not go nearly far enough to make the progressive steps that are required to get people out of their cars and into public transport. We must make a start. We need a high-speed rail network service.

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