Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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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.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator. I am replying to him on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for international road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Deputy Canney. The Senator has done a lot of work on this issue, which he has raised on a number of occasions. As I have no doubt he is aware, the final report of the all-island strategic rail review, which was undertaken by the Department of Transport in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, was published last year. The review will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades, up to 2050, in line with the net carbon zero targets for both jurisdictions. In order to meet these targets, the review sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland on a phased basis.The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new and reinstated routes. Included in these recommendations is the reinstatement of the western rail corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The reinstatement of this line has the potential to support both passenger and rail freight services, allowing a direct route for freight services from Ballina and Westport to ports on the south coast which avoid the more congested part of the rail network around Dublin. This would also reconnect Tuam to the railway and enable direct passenger services between Galway and Mayo. It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to in the final review report will be advanced, subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the infrastructure guidelines in Ireland.

Assisted by the European Investment Bank advisory services, the Department of Transport in Ireland, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and agencies North and South are working to progress the report’s recommendations in the years ahead. This is to help optimise the sequencing and implementation of the proposed investments. Progress in following up on the rail review will be reported on as appropriate through the North-South Ministerial Council.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for the update. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, for his work on this issue. The all-island strategic rail review identified the reopening of the western rail corridor from Claremorris to Athenry as a short-term measure. Having invested so much in planning, consultation and reviews, we now need to move to delivery. We need to do whatever it takes to ensure the project is included in the upcoming review of the national development plan and move swiftly to reopen the line. The tracks are in public ownership, although substantial investment is required. The social, economical and connectivity benefits for the north west cannot be overstated. I will do whatever I can to work with the Minister of State and the Government to ensure this is project is made a priority and delivered for the people of the north west.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I have no doubt the Senator will do that as he has made the case very well today. I will report that back to the Minister.

We have made good progress on several projects across the rail network in recent years, including in the west. These include upgrades at Ceannt Station in Galway city, which are under way and scheduled to be completed next year. In addition, a new platform and passing loop at Oranmore station was granted planning permission last February and construction is expected to commence by the end of this year. These projects will increase the capacity and efficiency of the rail network.

Building on such progress, the long-term vision for the future of the rail network is provided for by the all-island strategic rail review, which recommends electrification of inter-city routes, increasing track capacity and the new and reinstated routes I mentioned. Among the review’s 32 strategic recommendations is the reinstatement, as I said, of the western rail corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. This project has the potential to support both passenger and rail freight services and to advance regional connectivity objectives.

I thank the Senator for his contribution. I will convey his views to the Minister.