Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As the Fine Gael spokesperson on transport in the Seanad and a member of the newly formed Oireachtas committee on transport, I bring to the Minister of State’s attention a key and important piece of infrastructure for the north west, namely, the western rail corridor. The line between Athenry and Claremorris, which is currently closed, is in public ownership. I compliment the work of advocacy groups like West on Track, as well as political and civic leaders across the north west who have been campaigning and advocating for the reopening of the western rail corridor. There is a great opportunity for improving the connectivity and economic prosperity of the north west, a region that has recently been identified as lagging behind other European regions.

The reopening of the western rail corridor would connect Mayo and Galway by rail and the line would continue all the way down to Limerick and Cork. Due to the cost and lack of affordability of student accommodation, whether in Dublin or the west, particularly Galway and Limerick, many students in my home county of Mayo are commuting regularly. The reopening of this line is an open goal because it is in public ownership and the project offers value for money and aligns with the national development plan. Therefore, we need to make it a key priority.

Research reports have identified the cost of reopening the western rail corridor at approximately €200 million. If we compare that cost for a rail line of more than 30 km in the west which would unlock and improve connectivity across the whole western seaboard with the estimated cost of between €400 million and €500 million per kilometre to build a metro, it is a no-brainer and an open goal.

I will work with the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, on this. I compliment him and the transport officials who have been having working on this issue. The economic benefits of a rail connection down to Foynes Port and the benefits of removing heavy freight from the roads in terms of reducing congestion and improving connectivity cannot be overstated.

This is a brilliant opportunity to show a vote of confidence in the north west. I will work with the Minister of State and across all Government channels, including through the Joint Committee on Transport, to make sure this project is included in the national development plan and is funded and delivered for the north west. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State’s thoughts on the matter.