Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Eamon being the absolute gentleman that he is actually bought something in the shop. I was not going to mention it because many Ministers turn up to do an event and go. Eamon actually bought in the shop which was well-noted and is a testament to the man.

As I do not drive because of my disability, being visually impaired, I get the train to Dublin all the time when I come to the Oireachtas. On occasion I have stayed in Maynooth. I listened to Senator Martin speak about extending the train services to other parts of Kildare. He is correct. The service from Maynooth to Dublin is fantastic. There are proposals to extend and develop it, perhaps, into a light rail service. That would be welcome. Any investment in rail transport is worthwhile and justified investment.

The Minister is committed to extending the rail link to Foynes Port in Limerick and the western rail corridor to Tuam. This would be fantastic. When the western rail corridor was opened from Ennis to Galway, it had a slow start with only one, two or three people on it in the morning. Before the pandemic, the number of people using the Ennis to Galway line was fantastic. There were times one could not get a seat. On Friday evening with students coming home to Ennis and then on to Limerick, it was standing room only. It takes time. We need to have patience when investing in rail infrastructure. Every single penny that is invested in our rail network is justified.

Two months ago, I asked the Minister about when the lift would be installed at Ennis railway station for people with disabilities, wheelchair users, older people and mobility impaired people. I am delighted the lift is now in place and the lights are on. In several weeks' time, it will be operational. Deputy Ryan is a Minister who delivers. That asset to Ennis railway station was promised by many Ministers in the past. It took this Minister to say this needs to be done, get on with the job of work and install a lift. For that I am very grateful. My colleague, Senator Carrigy, has spoken about the just transition fund and the benefit it brings to Longford. I would like to know what is the status of the just transition fund from a Moneypoint perspective. Many people in west Clare have benefited from employment in Moneypoint. The scaling back of Moneypoint creates a challenge. The just transition fund can be a lifeline in providing educational opportunities and other employment opportunities. I would like to hear the Minister's views on the fund and how it sits with regard to Moneypoint, the people who have worked at the plant and the workers who may no longer be work there in future. Moneypoint is a significant political issue in County Clare and clarity is necessary at this stage. The people working in the plant whose lives are essentially on hold are waiting for a decision and clarification on what will happen. Such clarification would be welcome. If there is bad news, let us have it and we will deal with it. Coupled with any such bad news, we would want a plan. We want to know what will happen in future. At this stage, most of society has brought into the principle that what has happened in Moneypoint in the past will not happen in the future. Society, County Clare and the country will move on.

Green issues will only really succeed when they become political issues. Unless green issues become mainstream, we will not achieve our common goal. Most politicians in this Chamber espouse green issues but until they become mainstream, we will not achieve the results we want. I thank the Minister and look forward to his replies.