Rail Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2015

Thursday, 2 July 2015

Questions (230)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

230. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the continuing encroachment on the closed and disused railway alignment from Athenry, County Galway to Collooney, County Sligo, the reason for the current unavailability of finance for the development of new railway projects and the unlikelihood of providing finance for future rail projects in the absence of a clear business case, coupled with the failure of the first stage of the so-called western rail corridor to reach projected targets and the groundswell of public support in the north west for tourism, leisure and a sustainable commuting infrastructure, if he will confirm that the priority for Córas Iompair Éireann and his Department is to use this corridor to enhance the national cycling network and thus to protect the route for possible rail use at some time in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26684/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

In addition to the tourism and business that they bring, Greenways that are developed along a rail corridor would of course also fully protect the integrity of the corridor in the event of its future reopening as an operational railway.

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that when Greenways are being developed along closed and abandoned railways there is specific provision in the licence agreement to ensure that the corridor could be brought back to use as a working railway, should it be required at a future date.

It is a matter for the relevant Local Authority in the first instance to initiate the Greenway proposals and to liaise with Iarnród Éireann about the development of any such proposal.