Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, for coming to the House and for his interest in the western rail corridor.

As the Minister of State is aware, the western rail corridor was closed down in 1975, more than 30 years ago. Sadly, successive Governments have not reopened any part of this line. I was very happy to be nominated to a western inter-county railway committee in 1979, 26 years ago. Fr. Micheál Mac Gréil was then and still is secretary to the committee. We received great help from the West-On-Track group. There is strong support in the west for the reopening of this rail corridor.

We were very disappointed when the strategic rail review did not issue a recommendation that this rail corridor should be reopened. The then Minister, Deputy Brennan, appointed a working group under Mr. Pat McCann, which recently produced a report. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, attended a conference in Breaffy House, Castlebar, to discuss this report. Mr. McCann has produced a very readable document. He does not beat around the bush. He examined the rail corridor and considered whether the project should be commenced as a total job or in phases. I hope the total line will be reopened for both passenger and freight traffic.

Mr. McCann commented that the line could be looked at in five stages: Ennis to Athenry, Athenry to Tuam, Tuam to Claremorris, Claremorris to Collooney. He proposed the addition of another section from Athenry to Galway which is technically not part of the western rail corridor but which would be a very useful commuter rail service. It would be necessary to restore the north-south crossover at Athenry and this issue was discussed when the crossover was taken away. I am pleased Mr. McCann recommends its restoration along with the improvement of Athenry station and new stations at Oranmore and Renmore with a potential for commuter services into Galway.

Mr. McCann came out in favour of the Ennis to Athenry line where the average cost would be €2.1 million per mile. He recommends this line could link up with other services including services to Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork. He also makes it clear he is impressed with the success of the Ennis to Limerick line which is in operation with a good number of trains.

Mr. McCann states clearly he regards the section of line from Claremorris to Collooney as requiring a capital cost of €197 million. This was a light rail service when first constructed and would require to be brought up to Iarnród Éireann standard of heavy rail. It would cost €24 million to create separations between two crossings on that section of line. I have an interest in this line which is in the CLÁR area. I suggest CLÁR funding should be requested for the most expensive and longest part of the line.

The Athenry to Tuam and Tuam to Claremorris stages of the line could be treated as one stage with a link to Galway because it is shorter in distance than the Claremorris to Collooney stage and would cost approximately €93 million. A commuter service should not be confined to servicing Galway and Claremorris; County Mayo would be an obvious starting point for a commuter service. These issues could be examined if the Minister were to provide the funding for the five stages as outlined in the McCann report.

The Minister of State will be aware of the traffic congestion on the roads leading to Galway city as I have raised the matter many times. The village of Claregalway is always mentioned regarding morning traffic jams. The N17 has the heaviest traffic in the whole country and a morning commuter service would be very welcome. The morning service from Athlone, through Ballinasloe and Athenry and on to Galway is a good example of how an early morning service could be of benefit. Those who take the 7 a.m. train from Athlone are in Galway by 8.15 a.m. I make the same case in respect of Sligo and the northern end of the line where a commuter service would be much appreciated and welcomed.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I look forward to positive news now that the McCann report has been published. I look forward to a debate in the House to discuss other issues related to the line.