Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)

I am really glad the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, is here, and the reason for that is the western rail corridor. He has always been committed to it. I commend him on how he worked when in opposition to secure the western rail corridor – first the link from Athenry to Claremorris and then the link from Claremorris to Collooney. Therefore, I do not need to tell him how important it is; he knows.

What I want is to get the Claremorris–Athenry line up and running. The Minister of State and I know from conversations, whether with Colman Ó Raghallaigh from West on Track or those involved with the Bradley report, that the project is absolutely viable. Not only that, but it is also necessary for businesses and the growth of the region. The western rail corridor, no more than Knock Airport, would be a catalyst for development in the region. It is what people want.

I certainly welcome the all-island strategic rail review but I am concerned that the Claremorris–Collooney part is not in it. Although this is the case, can I have a commitment from the Minister of State, as someone who is now in government, to open both parts of the line fully? Could he indicate, even today, when the Athenry–Claremorris part will reopen?

It is not often in this House that we have cross-party agreement but there is cross-party agreement on this project. We have the money to go ahead with it. Indeed, we had money many times over that we could have levered from the EU, but we did not avail of it. That is history, however. As enterprise spokesperson for Sinn Féin, I am interested in our getting the line up and running as quickly as possible.

We had much discussion in the past few days on student fees and the absolutely dire situation many families are in because of the cost of education. Accessing education is very important and that is why we need the line. It would open up transport.

Tourism is also a factor. I just met representatives of the Irish Hotels Federation and they would tell you how important rail is. When people come to this island, they want to be able to travel by rail. I am glad to see the Minister of State in the position he is in, and I have every faith and hope that he will do the right thing regarding the western rail corridor.

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