Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with other Senators in thanking Martin Groves, Bridget Doody and everyone else in the Seanad Office and all those in the Houses of the Oireachtas for their work and diligence over the last months. I wish them well over the summer break.

I acknowledge the plans by the Saolta University Health Care Group in the west to submit the preliminary business case for a new accident and emergency department and paediatric and maternity building to the Department of Health in the coming weeks. This is another step forward in a long process of delivering vital infrastructure. We saw the strategic assessment report, SAR, approved in January 2023 and planning permission granted for the demolition of the old accident and emergency department granted by Galway City Council. This is now another step in this process. We hope the Department of Health will turn this application around and allow for further steps to be undertaken in the delivery of this vital project for Galway and the region on the grounds of University Hospital Galway.

I also express concern regarding the ongoing delays in the planning process for a new ambulance base in Recess in Connemara. The team there lobbying for a new ambulance base has been carrying out that work diligently. Unfortunately, there have been more delays in the delivery of this project and the lodging of a planning application.I certainly hope and wish that the all-Ireland rail review will be finalised and published by the Ministe for Transport and the Northern Ireland executive, which I believe will recommend the reopening of the line between Athenry, Tuam and Claremorris. This is a vital piece of infrastructure for the west. It has been talked about for a long time. There have been ongoing delays. It is time to get the plan published and work started on this project.