Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

When the Ministers were announced, I was delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Canney was being given this responsibility. He realises the importance of the western rail corridor. The Claremorris to Athenry line is fundamentally important for our region. The Minister of State is only up the road and knows the value of this. I ask him to drive on this project and make sure that the legacy of Seán Canney in government is the western rail corridor reopened from Claremorris to Athenry and beyond from Claremorris into Collooney. We cannot forget about north Mayo and Sligo. It is really important. I attended a Western Development Commission presentation recently, which stated our region is lagging well behind in infrastructure and transport.

One argument the Government has made over many years relates to the viability for this project. I have looked into the data on the Limerick to Galway line. Since that line has been opened, there have been 5 million journeys. It is growing rapidly every year. In 2023, there were over 600,000 journeys. It is really important and there is a significant case for this. I commend the Minister of State and his work over many years. My colleague in Tuam, Luke Silke of Aontú, has worked with the Minister of State. I refer particularly to the West on Track campaign and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, who has been a tremendous advocate on this. I commend the great work and ask the Minister of State to drive on this project and make sure that the legacy of this Government and Seán Canney for our region is the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris and on to Collooney.

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