Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Minister for Transport to outline his plans for the redevelopment of Ceannt and Oranmore stations in Galway.In terms of the Ceannt Station redevelopment, which was announced during the term of the previous Government, will departmental and National Transport Authority funding be made available to Iarnród Éireann? What is the expected timeline for such redevelopment?

On Oranmore Station, what is the timeline for the construction of a second track? I ask because Oranmore and its surrounds are currently serviced by the Galway to Dublin and Galway to Limerick trains. Oranmore has a population in the region of 15,000. My colleagues on Galway City Council and Galway County Council, councillors Alan Cheevers, Albert Dolan and Martina Kinane, who represents the Clarenbridge-Maree area, have consistently raised this matter at local level. I am seeking to discover the timeline for the second track and the position with regard to commuter trains for the area. This matter needs to be prioritised. Naturally, in the current climate, we need to continue to invest in public transport. I know from occasionally using the train from Oranmore that it is an excellent way to transport a large volume of people into the city. There is a huge willingness on the part of people in the Oranmore electoral area, whether it is in Maree, Clarenbridge or Oranmore itself, to use public transport. As Senator Kyne said earlier in connection with Moycullen, there has been a major increase in the population. I am well aware that the census has been postponed until next year but I am sure it will show a further increase in population, so we need to plan for the next number of years. A train service is essential.

Finally, I ask the Minister for Transport to come back to me with the information. Like Senator Kyne, I think it would be great if I could get the written response when I conclude. Also, there are a number of trains for people to travel to Dublin and Limerick but the problem is that in the evening, the second last and last trains do not stop in Oranmore. That is another issue for the people who live in the Oranmore electoral area because there is no point getting the first train to Dublin in the morning and then having to go into Galway city because one's car will have been parked in Oranmore. The logistics need to be worked out and there needs to be better communication with the public. Overall, the train service is excellent but it needs to be enhanced and further investment is required. Can I have a copy of the written response, please?