Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

I also wish the Minister the very best in his new role. I look forward to working with him.

I am happy to speak to this motion. I commend the Independent and Parties Technical Group on tabling it. I particularly reference the all-island strategic rail review and the manner in which it outlines economic and social benefits. This is incredibly important.

In respect of my constituency of Offaly, I will raise ongoing issues regarding Clara train station. As my constituent, Barry Flynn, has noted through his extensive research on this issue, Clara was once the location of two railway stations and two railway junctions, one of which branched off the main line to Mullingar and the other off the main line to Banagher. It has been built beside what is called a passing loop. This means that both trains serving the station at the same time can allow passengers to embark or disembark. Unfortunately and bizarrely, this does not happen at Clara. Only the train using the main track can allow passengers to board or alight. The train using the passing loop stops, but because it does not have a platform, passengers cannot enter or exit. This happens on a number of occasions daily. This means that many people from the Clara railway station catchment area, which includes Clara, Moate, Rahan, Ballycumber, Kilbeggan, Tober and Ferbane, who would like to use a specific service cannot do so. The cost of constructing the second platform would be a capital cost and a tiny percentage. Will the Minister consider constructing the second platform at Clara train station?

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