Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

I agree with the Deputy. The important point is that the all-Ireland rail review is exactly that; it is about regional development, the cities, connecting the cities and connecting rural Ireland by public transport. When we are realising the recommendations of the review we need to ensure passengers are at the heart of it and have a good experience, so that when they take a train they will be happy to do so again. it is important that when we put in investment we put it in to serve all the island. That is why the review is called the all-island rail review.

I agree with the Deputy that there are opportunities for investment throughout the country to ensure the public transport we deliver is second to none. We can look at the success of the Galway-to-Limerick section of the western rail corridor. Over 630,000 passengers travel on that every year, even though when it opened a number of years ago the figure was 132,000. We have the opportunities, potential and spirit to carry on with that.

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