Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am delighted we have the opportunity to discuss this issue today as I have often raised the issue of examining the BMW region in terms of its importance to the nation. I am not quite as enthusiastic as the Leader about some of the points made in the Minister's speech. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House and ask him to note a number of points, some of which concern his constituency.

I appreciate and support the improvements the Minister outlined for the Dublin-Westport, Dublin-Ballina, Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Sligo lines. These are much needed crucial developments and I am glad the Minister forecast they would begin in 2007. I would like a clear commitment in the next national development plan to a rail schedule that will ensure a train every hour from Dublin to Sligo, Mayo and Galway.

I appreciate what has already been included and recognise the progress made in terms of roads and the mention of Transport 21, but I did not see any mention of the western rail corridor or of the vertical connection, the Atlantic highway from Sligo through Galway, Limerick and, via Cork, to Rosslare. The House will be aware that I referred to the western rail corridor as the Sligo-Rosslare line because I think that is what it should be. Looking at those sitting in the benches of the House now, it would go through all of their counties, from Sligo, through Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and over to Wexford. I am appalled there has been no mention of this project although that may be an oversight.