Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to highlight a positive meeting that was held yesterday with Irish Rail. During the meeting, we were brought through a lot of the national plans and investment that will take place over the next couple of years, particularly the DART extension north to Drogheda. Mid-Louth councillor John Sheridan and I highlighted and put a strong pitch in for the reopening of Dunleer train station. Considering the growth in population in County Louth and all along the east coast, the investment that is needed into mid-Louth and the forecast for population growth in the area, reopening an existing train station makes great sense. I propose that we have the Minister for Transport into the House to discuss the all-island rail review and hopefully bring forward the plans to have it published. On the back of such a positive meeting yesterday, I have heard so much of what Irish Rail wants to do, but it needs the State's financial backing. I hope the Minister can come to the House to talk about the Department's policy and the State's financial backing of Irish Rail to allow it to fulfil its large ambition for rail in this country.