Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Over the years I have tried to convince many Ministers with responsibility for transport of the need to reopen the line.

In considering the position of Ireland today and what it may be like in ten or 15 years, it is necessary to be pro-railway. Greater economic growth will lead to more car ownership and greater congestion. No matter how much is invested in the road network, it will always be a case of trying to catch and keep up with the growth in car ownership. It, therefore, behoves us to invest in the rail system for the long term, especially in the area of freight, which will lead to a reduction in the number of trucks on the road, and in the area of public transport.