Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the call for a debate on the national spatial strategy. There is, by and large, good news for what is known as the BMW region in the strategy. However, I find it hard to understand why, when the Government is talking about improved services and improved infrastructure in rural Ireland, Iarnród Éireann is at the same time dismantling part of the railway line at Athenry and disconnecting signals. I question Iarnród Éireann's commitment to the spatial strategy and it is important that we have a debate as soon as possible.