Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Transport remains committed to the earliest delivery of the western rail corridor. I have always been a great supporter of this project and attended a West on Track conference four or five years ago. I have been in touch in various capacities with campaigners such as Fr. Micheál Mac Gréil since the late 1970s when I had an involvement in energy policy.

I am pleased to advise the House that construction on phase 1 of the corridor, which runs between Ennis and Athenry, is complete and driver training and familiarisation began on 16 November. larnród Éireann had intended to launch phase 1 on 8 January 2010 with full services commencing on 9 January 2010. However, driver training and familiarisation has been on hold since 18 November due to flooding at a number of locations, a subject I discussed with the Senator earlier. As a result, the opening of the line has been deferred and the company will confirm a new opening date when flood waters recede. The opening of phase 1 of the corridor will mark an important milestone in the delivery of public transport infrastructure in the west, reconnecting Limerick, Ennis and Galway for the first time by rail for passenger services since the 1970s. I look forward to taking a train from Limerick Junction, County Tipperary, to Galway.