Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join Senator O'Toole in calling for a debate on rail infrastructure in the mid-west region. It is of particular importance at present given the changes that are envisaged for Shannon Airport, the necessity to ensure the future of that airport as a gateway to the mid-west region and its importance for tourism. An important element of that will involve building a rail link from Shannon Airport to the Ennis-Limerick line and feeding into the western rail corridor. The Western Development Commission has put much effort into the development of that corridor. A debate in this House on infrastructure to assist and inform the work of the Western Development Commission would be timely.